Like the WWE for the past 3 years, music tours have also been jacking up ticket prices in amounts that significantly EXCEED the annual rate of inflation. Since 2023, annual inflation has been less than 4% while prices for events and hotels surrounding such events have seen price gouging amounts of 20% hikes or much more. In fact, the costs of anything involving events from hotels to parking to food to tickets have all gone up drastically and priced out many folks who USED to attend concerts or WWE regularly.

WWE was purchased by Endeavor through 2023 and after the sale was complete, the newly formed TKO corporation began to hike up prices of events. The prices were really noticed during Royal Rumble 2025, which took some of yours truly’s money, and kept going throughout 2025 including a much more expensive Wrestlemania 41 and heavy price gouging for things surrounding John Cena’s retirement tour. Then, we have Wrestlemania 42 and WWE’s price gouging took on ridiculous standards on top of a Las Vegas city that has been gouging tourists HARD since COVID-19 ended.

On my May 20th column, I remarked at how poorly WWE SummerSlam tickets were selling through 2/3 of May. I actually did some calculations and observed that less than 20,000 were sold through that point and reportedly, WWE has only sold around 22,000 tickets thus far with SummerSlam being a few weeks away from this 2-night show in Minneapolis, MN. Back on May 20th, several said that “it’s May” or “too early” to make this call. No, it’s freakin’ SummerSlam, arguably WWE’s #2 show and should sell a ton of tickets in advance. People travel all over the country to attend WWE’s top shows, but they aren’t this year for SummerSlam.

Obvious reason #1 = ticket prices.

Right now, WWE only has 1/3 of the Minnesota Vikings’s stadium available for sale, which is a massive indicator of a massive sales failure incoming (or at least compared to events of the past). While the nosebleeds have come down in price since I last wrote my 5/20 column (down to $76.10), that is still pricey for a sporting event in the way upper decks. The most expensive floor seat is at $3,315.90.

While these prices are down from Wrestlemania 42’s obvious price gouging and other recent PLEs, they are still high relatively speaking versus events before TKO fully took over.

In case you haven’t purchased gasoline lately, we’re averaging around $3.83 through 7/14/26 and possibly trending upward with recent escalations in the Middle East, again. In just a few days, the national average gained about 10 cents and we’re way above the $2.73 price seen earlier in the year before the war began.

And when gas prices are up, ANYTHING that is shipped by a truck goes up in price. This affects literally every company who receives a trucked shipment of something. In addition to truck fuel prices going up, so does jet fuel. Oil is used for many things other than transportation, such as plastics. Annual inflation was “cheered” today of being just 3.5%, but that was due gas prices dropping from being above $4 per the ceasefire and memorandum of understanding “deal” between the United States and Iran. Recent events seemed to have ended both, and now gas prices are going up again.

But consumers NEVER recovered from the previous gas price hikes since late February. And I’d further argue that consumers still haven’t got over the shocks from COVID-19 and then the insanely rising inflation from 2021-2023.

Right now, many economists suggest we have a “K-Shaped” economy. On the upper portion of the “K” are upper class individuals. If you look at statistics, they are doing just fine, as the past year generated the most millionaires created while 2026 appears to be creating the most billionaires on record if the current pace is maintained. 2026 also created the first ever trillionaire with Elon Musk. Statistically speaking, the upper 10% of wage earners account for roughly HALF of the consumption in the United States.

Meanwhile, the lower portion of the “K”… For many years within the past 6 years, consumers incomes or wages (many working part-time) were growing much less than the rate of inflation. The Minimum Wage on the national level hasn’t increased since 2009 at $7.25, so if you compare that to above $4 per gallon of gasoline, that sucks. You’re basically working almost 2 hours per gallon. Going deeper into the data, the personal savings rate is currently at 3.0% and historically speaking, anything under 5% usually precedes an economic recession because the consumer is tapped out. This coincides with elevated credit card delinquency rates, as consumers are not saving as much or are ringing up much more debt that ever to survive. Housing and apartment prices have skyrocketed for the past few years and make things unaffordable, in addition to the price gouging happening with piped gas and especially electricity.

Given the choice of attending a WWE event or a concert, versus feeding, clothing, and housing your family… Well, attending a high priced event goes by the wayside.

That said, not everything is specifically about price. Sorry, but I’d struggle to see many struggling concert acts above EVEN IF tickets were given to me for free. Time listening to J’Lo lip sync songs that she allegedly didn’t record is not worth my time, just as attending a WWE branded wrestling event might not be someone else’s cup of tea for free.

Which goes into the darker point #2 about SummerSlam 2026…

Yeah, we could get into this event struggling because it’s a 2-night event and NOT Wrestlemania. “Less is more” as I’ve always said and I just don’t see the demand to have Summerslam as 2 nights. The past few years of this experiment have proved that.

HOWEVER, it’s not just getting more WWE wrestling, but who is on the cards.

Go back to 2024… Roman Reigns was at the peak of his popularity. Seth Rollins would provide his peak performance through Wrestlemania 40 by performing in the tag match on night #1 and then still participating in night #2 despite a bad leg. CM Punk just arrived and was still on his post-AEW honeymoon with lots of anticipation. Cody Rhodes was still chasing the WWE title and trying to finish his family’s story. We got The Rock back and he was electrifying for the first time in years as the “final boss”.

How about 2026, 2 years later?

The Rock has disappointed by not doing any significant return appearances other than 1 PLE during late 2024, Netflix RAW, Smackdown in New Orleans, and then the Elimination Chamber 2025 PLE. However, the “final boss” was lost and we never completed the Bloodline storyline with him and Roman colliding. I think they’ll try it at Wrestlemania 43, but if you’ve seen Rocky lately, he’s seriously dropped like 75 pounds of muscle.

CM Punk has had a few good years on the main event scene, but Roman dispatched him at Wrestlemania 42. Despite the great match, Punk was moved to the Smackdown brand and that is clearly the lesser brand right now. He’ll need a big heel turn to freshed up his character, but Father Time remains undefeated.

Cody Rhodes just isn’t as exciting after he won the WWE world title during 2024. The chase is over. While he’s still a solid hand, there’s a lack of purpose and that’s been spelled out clearly by him headlining the lesser Smackdown brand.

I personally like Seth Rollins, but we’ve seen him do it all and with many variations of being a heel or babyface character. Tried many times as a World Champion, too, as he’s a 6-time World Champion. After Roman Reigns probably dispatches him at the poorly attended SummerSlam 2026, that could be it for him as he’s wrestled everybody on the roster multiple times.

And then we have Roman Reigns. He’s just not the same since he disappeared after Wrestlemania 40 and returned as a babyface. “Original Trible Chief” just isn’t as fun as a heel beating down everybody and demanding them to “acknowledge me”. Hence why the WWE reformed the Bloodline again.

On the 7/13/26 edition of Monday Night RAW, Paul Heyman seemed to walk away from the Vision group. Might this help pave the way for the “wiseman” to rejoin the Bloodline group? I think so…

If I were booking SummerSlam 2026, I’d have Heyman rejoin the Bloodline and the group just obliterate Seth Rollins and any babyface trying to save the day. Total heel beatdown of epic proportions and I’d have the Bloodline conduct many violent beatdowns of babyface wrestlers in the weeks that follows. Fully cement the Bloodline back into a heel group and let Paul Heyman’s creativity flow through the group to make them exciting again.

That is exactly what this reunited babyface Bloodline is lacking… Paul Heyman.

What we have through 2026 isn’t just TKO price gouging, but a WWE that has become veteran dependent and desiring to push Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes HARD as babyfaces because they are both WME represented wrestlers. WME is controlled by Endeavor’s top brass, so hence why TKO is whispering to Triple H to push Roman and Cody strongly even if performed poorly or in a way that over-exposes both wrestlers. Meanwhile, any other wrestler is second fiddle and that includes any younger wrestlers. The lack of good trainers at the Performance Center (I’m looking at you, A-Train) and the TOTAL LACK OF PATIENCE with TKO’s executives and analytics has screwed the WWE’s future.

WWE through 2026 is too veteran dependent, but I’d argue veterans who have diminished as assets. Each of the above wrestlers have LOST something since 2024, while newer wrestlers like Bron Breakker, Jacob Fatu, and many others just aren’t gaining any momentum to sustain a top spot. I like Oba Femi, but him losing a return match to Brock Lesnar just didn’t sit well with me and killed momentum for him.

If WWE’s top guys are declining and WWE’s business is declining, especially in light of higher prices or a possible economic recession…

Many suggest that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has a chance to catch WWE as a business, but with their lower ticket prices, they are struggling to regularly draw 4,000 for AEW Dynamite shows while nobody buys their merchandise and PPV numbers are sagging. All-In in London is doing weaker numbers than their previous 2 shows, and that’s AEW’s top show. Reality check is coming soon for AEW because their TV deal expires soon and Warner Bros. will be owned by the Ellisons/Paramount whom I believe wants to host WWE during 2029 after Netflix (I predict) opts out of WWE’s 10-year deal 5 years early. AEW could be without a cable/satellite and streaming home, which would serve as a massive potential nail in their coffin (if that were to happen).

One would think that wrestling fans would attend more AEW shows with lower ticket prices than WWE with higher ticket prices. That substitution effect has yet to happen, brother, because AEW literally has the same issue of being veteran dependent without any newer homegrown stars rising up to eventually take their spots.

What would I do if I were advising WWE or TKO?

Announce, effectively immediately, ticket prices are being slashed significantly. I don’t care if TKO just breaks even on live events when considering venue costs. They are getting so much money from TV deals, Saudi Arabia, sponsorships, and states/cities bribing them to appear there.

Secondly, TKO has to stop meddling. Give Triple H full control and breathing room.

Third, fix the developmental system. Replace the trainers on the male side of the ledger, specifically with guys who can work different styles, knows how to talk, and knows how to use psychology. Prince Albert worked as a big man who couldn’t talk. How can he train wrestlers to work other styles or talk? Makes ZERO SENSE why Triple H is loyal to that guy who is botching his developmental system.

Shrink all TV shows to be 2 hours maximum, never going above.

Nothing other than Wrestlemania goes for 2 nights.

Only North America or England should EVER host Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, or SummerSlam. Those are protected and entitled for the fans who helped build WWE. I don’t care how much Saudi wants to pay you for both the Rumble ($100 million) and Wrestlemania ($250). WWE is pissing on loyal fans who loved traveling to the WWE’s top events.

Reduce creative team power of Bruce Prichard and Michael P.S. Hayes. I’ve seen enough of their older ways that it’s impacting some legitimately good wrestlers, like Chelsea Green. Retain them as agents for matches, though, where they still have value for coming up with creative finishes or structuring a matches. Bruce is a Vince McMahon mark, though, so I’d consider his removal anyway.

Instead of forcing loyal veterans to take a paycut, start training them to be road agents, creative team members, or other help backstage in addition to their part-time wrestling. Sheamus could have been useful backstage for younger wrestlers coming up or even at the Performance Center. Instead, you just let him walk.

Just like that, WWE could be improved and we wouldn’t be laughing at SummerSlam 2026’s poor attendance.

Mr. Tito Column Archive @ NoDQ

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But why? Why are there calls for Triple H to be fired or forced to resign?

For one, I think that Triple H is getting blamed for the TKO Corporation’s decisions. Even though Triple H has NOTHING to do with strategic or financial decisions made by TKO, he is somehow receiving blame for the price gouging at live WWE events, on merchandise, and now streaming PLEs on ESPN+. Further, HHH is also getting blamed for the many corporate sponsors that WWE programming shoves down your throat on the ring and plugs throughout the show. On top of all of that, HHH is getting blamed for exporting top WWE shows to Saudi Arabia such as Royal Rumble 2026 and Wrestlemania 43. HHH is also taking blame for placing Wrestlemania in expensive Las Vegas for a second year and moving away from rightful New Orleans who lost Wrestlemania 42. WWE President Nick Khan and TKO Board deserves those darts, not HHH. Triple H being great at creative helped create the demand to be exploited with high prices, but HHH doesn’t set prices for WWE shows. TKO does.

I also think that many WWE fans are upset about Triple H’s public allegiance to the current President of the United States, Donald Trump. Trump is a very polarizing individual and a lightning rod for debate, yet HHH isn’t hesitant to obtain any photo opportunity with him. The WWE audience is a mixture of fans from a variety of political beliefs which is contrary to the TKO counterpart, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), who are diehard MAGA supporters. When Dana White supports and appears with the President, their fans cheer it on… It’s different with WWE fans, I believe. While they knew Vince McMahon’s political allegiance, he wasn’t that public about it other than helping Linda McMahon run for Senate and a few photo ops when Linda was a cabinet member during Trump’s first term. Vince was truly a good friend of Donald Trump, yet he didn’t rub it in because he wanted everybody’s money.

In addition, I think that after Wrestlemania 40, Triple H’s tone towards RAW and Smackdown changed and he has put more energy and focus on the PLEs and Saturday Night’s Main Event shows instead. While RAW and Smackdown have mostly been Infomercials for PPVs and PLEs since the Monday Night Wars concluded through March 2001, both shows have become worse for the past few years. In return, though, I’d argue that PLEs under Triple H have IMPROVED and I’m 100% for shorter events with 5-6 matches. Sorry, but 10+ match shows running for 4-5 hours are brutal to watch especially when 2/3 of those matches don’t deserve to be there, AEW.

I think that if fans skipped RAW and Smackdown, while just viewing Saturday Night’s Main Event and PLEs exclusively, they would be a much happier as WWE fans with a lot more time on their hands. And then you’ll appreciate Triple H more for his creative decisions since mid 2022.

Personally for me, I’ve seen Triple H’s tenure with CREATIVE as being a MASSIVE UPGRADE from the Vince McMahon tenure that ended through 2022. I can remember when the same fans bashing HHH now were ripping Vince’s decisions to shreds for about 20 years prior 2022. You know how I know? Because I wrote damn columns and covered the industry during that period of time, while listening to YOU and YOUR gripes about the wrestling business. You HATED Vince and were appreciative when he stepped down when the Janel Grant allegations were made public. Then for mid-2022 through 2024, you praised HHH’s creative decisions. And I agree, and said so as a major Triple H critic for his executive work of the 2010s (which we’ll get into in a second).

What did Triple H make better with Creative?

– Improved the Bloodline: Added Sami Zayn to shake-up the group and add drama, while getting Jey Uso over to sell a ton of merchandise as a fan favorite.

– Made Cody Rhodes into a bigger star. Built upon the bicep tear, built him up through 2023 with the Rumble win, big Wrestlemania 39 match, and then a strong feud with Brock Lesnar. Vetoing Cody turning heel, which the Rock wanted to do, versus John Cena turning during 2025 was a great decision by HHH.

– Better focus for Women’s wrestling. Without HHH, we don’t have a strong women’s division and it was very Charlotte dependent before his tenure. While Charlotte still gets booking love, others are receiving opportunities.

– John Cena’s heel turn that saved not just Wrestlemania 41, but interest in John Cena for the rest of 2025 when the Rock refused to make himself available. John Cena is a bigger star now than ever thanks to his 2025 run. Wrestlemania 41 gained over 10,000 tickets sold after February 2025 thanks to this heel turn decision.

– Gunther. He’s HHH’s top signed prospect and has flourished with HHH as the writer.

– CM Punk’s WWE return. This was all Triple H and CM Punk has returned mostly to his prime form under HHH’s regime.

– PLEs are way better and have better finishes to events, leaving you wanting more.

Now, could things be improved creatively with WWE? Yes, of course… Nobody is perfect. But I’ll take mid-2022 to 2026 Triple H as Creative Lead versus Vince McMahon micro-managing multiple Creative Leads since the peak of the Attitude Era during mid 2000. Yeah, there are many masked men and mysterious things in boxes these days, but the main event scene in the WWE is more exciting with Roman, Punk, Drew, Cody, Seth when healthy, and Gunther versus overpushing Brock Lesnar as too dominant and pushing an inexperienced Roman Reigns to the top during the 2010s. Given that Vince’s exit based on $20 million NDA payouts with female victims could have placed WWE in shambles, Triple H has been the steadying hand that not only kept the WWE going but made it BETTER as well.

That said…

The internet wrestling community FAILS to recognize Triple H’s TRUE weakness as a WWE executive.

As described above, Triple H is mostly good at Creative. While there are some flaws, he makes mostly sound decisions and delegates authority to a large creative staff and doesn’t micro-manage them as Vince did. And trust me, putting up with Bruce Prichard is no easy task but HHH does it well and empowers others to make creative decisions.

I also think that HHH does well producing Live Events and also empowering others to produce live events or matches. I thought less of Michael P.S. Hayes as a backstage suck-up to HHH and Stephanie over the years, but Hayes is THRIVING as a producer of top WWE matches. He’s seriously entering Pat Patterson levels of respect with how matches are ending and that’s a pure compliment from me.

So creative is going well and as are WWE live events, especially PLEs and SNMEs… So what’s the true weakness for the WWE?

TALENT RELATIONS.

THAT is the WWE’s real weakness right now and for the next 5 years unless a serious turnaround happens.

Ever notice how VETERAN-DEPENDENT the WWE has become recently? Brock Lesnar and John Cena still have big roles, and Randy Orton is still relied upon too. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre are not spring chickens. Roman Reigns and a mid-40s CM Punk are headlining Wrestlemania 42. Seth Rollins has a ton of WWE miles on his body and is getting repeatedly injured.

Behind them? You’ve got Gunther and… I guess Bron Breakker, but is he really ready for the big time? Oba Femi could be a big star, though I thought his star wasn’t shining as bright when Brock Lesnar entered the 2026 Rumble match. I love Dominik Mysterio, but I just cannot buy him as a Main Eventer. Bronson Reed and Jacob Fatu have to remain healthy and available to make it to the top. I’m not as crazy on Reed as Triple H is, however.

I just don’t see the current younger wrestlers or the upcoming developmental crop rising to effectively replace the top male wrestlers of today in the WWE.

About a year ago, NoDQ’s Virtue posted a list of WWE wrestler ages, with most top WWE stars nearing 40 or within their 40s. While Pro Wrestling allows top stars to venture into their 40s and remain effective, it’s also the decade where wrestlers get injured so easily. Literally everyone is holding their breath that CM Punk and Roman Reigns make it to Wrestlemania 42 without injury.

But I want to take Virtue’s point a step further… During the 2010s, I was HEAVILY critical of Triple H’s tenure as EVP of Talent relations from mid-2012 through early 2020. I argued that compared to Jim Ross managing Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and John Laurinaitis managing Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), Triple H’s signings and management of wrestlers produced FEWER main event stars with staying power. I argued that point until I was blue in the face, but I think that it needs revisited because Triple H’s creative of 2026 is very veteran dependent. And those veterans happen to NOT be his signings.

For example, the Wrestlemania 42 main event is CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns. Both Punk and Roman were John Laurinaitis signings, FACT. CM Punk began during 2005 when John Laurinaitis took over Talent Relations and managing Ohio Valley Wrestling from the corporate end. Roman Reigns signed during 2010 and joined Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which became WWE’s developmental territory after Laurinaitis chose to move away from OVW. Roman remained in the developmental system when Triple H took over Talent Relations during mid 2012, but Roman was only under HHH’s supervision a few months before his WWE debut at Survivor Series 2012. I always laugh when people claim Roman was a “Triple H signed wrestler” or a “Triple H trained wrestler”, but facts aren’t on your side. Besides, if you want to claim Roman as a “Triple H guy”, then you’ll have to OWN the terrible main event work Roman did during the 2010s. Suffering Succotash!

As an exercise, let’s go back to 2010 and chart every MALE wrestler who won a World Championship and then describe which EVP of Talent Relations was in charge when they began their WWE career. This should prove my point rather easily.

Jim Ross through 2004 – Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
John Cena
Brock Lesnar
Randy Orton
Batista
Rey Mysterio Jr.
The Rock
Chris Jericho
Kane
Edge
Christian
Mark Henry
Big Show
Goldberg

John Laurinaitis, 2004 through mid 2012 for OVW & Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), NXT 2.0 from early 2020 through mid 2022
The Miz
Sheamus
CM Punk
Daniel Bryan
Alberto Del Rio
Seth Rollins
Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley now)
Roman Reigns
Bray Wyatt (HHH brought him back after release, may he RIP)
Jinder Mahal (though HHH brought him back, made him champion during 2017)
Kofi Kingston
Drew McIntyre (HHH brought him back, gave him his best push)
Bobby Lashley
Big E Langston
Jey Uso
Jack Swagger
Dolph Ziggler
Cody Rhodes (signed him twice)

Triple H – Mid 2012 through early 2020 with NXT, mid 2022 to present with NXT
AJ Styles
Gunther
Finn Balor
Kevin Owens
Damien Priest
Braun Strowman

Wow… Obviously, Jim Ross is the kingpin and his signed and then developed wrestlers have smashed it in the WWE for DECADES now. Getting over 20 years of star power for a talent is remarkable, let along a few stars who have actually transcended wrestling. Ross’s guys are serious pop culture heroes.

But damn, look at Johnny Ace here… His 2004-2012 tenure as EVP of Talent Relations has really stocked the WWE talent pool on the male side of the ledger. As much as he’s mocked, he really did a number raiding independents for their talent and it gave WWE a solid base of talent for 20 years as well.

THEN, Laurinaitis was Talent Relations manager during early 2020 through mid 2022. Guess who he signed? Bron Breakker and Solo Sikoa. Both guys, though needing more experience, have made significant contributions to the WWE. Solo was a very important member of the Bloodline while Breakker is a top WWE star today despite his youth and inexperience.

And then we get into Triple H. Let’s be totally honest here… Finn Balor and Kevin Owens are solid hands, but are NOT long-term main eventers. They are, as Triple H described, like Chelsea Green… They are guys whom future main eventers work with to get to that level. Finn Balor is too small as a top guy, while Kevin Owens just isn’t the top guy draw BUT he complements the main eventers well as a solid opponent or again, getting someone else over. In the same vein, though not a world champion (yet), Sami Zayn has been one of HHH’s best signings and he’s complemented the rest of the roster well. It’s arguable if he’s a top guy or not, but I think he’s a very important WWE roster member.

Sorry, but Damien Priest and Braun Strowman as World Champions… Ehhhhhh. Strowman had the look and some skillsets, but his “paying his dues” comment plus getting owned by Brock Lesnar really diminished his stature. Damien Priest looks the part and wrestles the part, but just isn’t a top guy based on intangibles that make main eventers like mic skills, psychology, charisma, and connecting with the audience emotionally.

For HHH, Gunther and AJ Styles are his prized pigs. AJ was a great free agent signing that gave WWE 10 solid years of action, while Gunther is a current top guy who could get bigger (damn, that Jey Uso loss at WM 41 still hurts though). Props to him for those guys, though Gunther is the only one developed from his system to be a long-term main eventer with drawing power who always belongs there.

Then, for Triple H, you look at who he TRIED to push as NXT Champions… Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura were solid free agent signings, but HHH bought them with too much mileage. Both gave WWE great years and great matches, but not enough to go further than upper midcarders (though Samoa Joe’s work with Lesnar could have been something). I could argue the same about Bobby Roode as an older free agent.

But then you have HHH’s real reaches at creating future superstars. I liked Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano as a tag team, but as singles main eventers? Nope, too small and also lacking intangibles as a main eventer. Loved Adam Cole, though, but the guy is too small unfortunately despite the legit intangibles he really had. Cole would have been the perfect guy to push as the Cruiserweight Champion if they dared to care about that title. Keith Lee had some bad health luck, but I think that maybe he looked better in the smaller NXT pond versus the WWE and even AEW spotlights. We’ve tried pushing Karrion Kross and Aleister Black for YEARS but they just don’t impress as top guys. Triple H repeatedly believed in Andrade and it just never worked, though most saw him being an issue due to his smaller size and some backstage matters.

TALENT RELATIONS is the Achilles heel of Triple H in the WWE. We have almost 14 years of a sample size to prove that, especially with Wrestlemania 42 being dependent on Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk to draw fans to expensive Las Vegas.

Yes, HHH has success with the Women’s division. Zero disagreements there. HOWEVER, he has the “pick of the litter” with female athletes because unless you’re a tennis player or a golfer, you’re not going to make much money in female sports. WNBA struggles to ever make money, pro soccer and volleyball leagues struggle or fail, and boxing/MMA women’s matches are mostly undercard fights and only have exceptions when they draw on their own (Ronda Rousey was a beast in her day!). That, and HHH has a strong female trainer with Sara Del Rey.

But the men’s side of the ledger, ehhhh… Triple H LACKS having good scouts who are looking throughout the country for athletes to try pro wrestling. The one exception was when Mark Henry did it and he obtained Bianca Belair, but then WWE let him go. Then, Triple H has a WEAK head male trainer with Matt Bloom aka Prince Albert aka A-Train aka Lord Tensai. If you watched his career, he wrestled the big man style without much selling or psychology while he lacked promo skills, charisma, and personality to draw as such a wrestler. I still laugh at the failed hard 2003 push as A-Train on the Smackdown roster that derailed a younger Edge’s push while the Lord Tensai stuff became comical quickly during 2012. THAT is your head trainer?

Think about what could happen in 5 years with this current WWE roster. Much of the top guys will be in their mid 40s or early 50s. Who replaces them? Sorry, but I’m struggling seeing Bron Breakker, Oba Femi, Jacob Fatu, Dirty Dom, and others effectively replacing CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, or Drew McIntyre. Gunther is 38 years old, by the way, which means he’ll be 43 in 5 years.

WWE is too veteran dependent right now and that is because THEY HAVE TO. The NXT developmental promotion and the WWE Developmental Center is FAILING to train MALE wrestlers to be ready to eventually replace the long-time WWE main eventers that John Laurinaitis or Jim Ross signed during the 2000s. Seriously, think about that… WWE is too dependent on guys signed 2 decades ago!

If I were operating another promotion, say All Elite Wrestling (AEW), TNA, or even Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW), I would make a concerted effort to develop young talent and then groom them into becoming the next big stars that WWE doesn’t have. AEW has blown their massive opportunity of listening to Jim Ross instruct them on how to construct a developmental system and have instead realized on signing nothing but free agents or anyone California Indy/NJPW mark Dave Meltzer likes. Edge, Christian, Mercedes, Will Ospreay, and Okada have NOT brought attention to AEW as free and only increases their expenses.

Go back to your history books, folks… How did the WWE defeat WCW during 1998 and then put them in their rear-view mirror through 2001? Yes, those signings of Steve Austin, Triple H, and Mick Foley were massive… But the signing and development of Kane, the Rock, Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle were incredible and gave WWE fresh stars compared with the aging veterans of WCW. WCW died because they refused to push younger faces to the top besides Bill Goldberg who has issues as an in-ring performer outside of spearing and jackhammering wrestlers in less than 1 minute. That’s why Chris Jericho’s 1999 debut was enormous and still appreciated by fans to this very day.

WWE is a “dead man walking” because they are veteran heavy and AEW cannot catch them because they, too, are veteran heavy. I think that we’ve officially hit the peak of the John Laurinaitis signings from 2004-2012 and Triple H’s tenures between 2012 to present haven’t restocked the pond with fish that could grow into even bigger and more impressive species.

Triple H as EVP of WWE’s Talent Relations IS the ultimate weakness of the WWE. Unless another promotion exploits said weakness of the WWE, we’re about head into a darker period for Pro Wrestling for the next 5 years or more.

Thus, online fans need to STOP focusing on WWE’s Creative but on TALENT RELATIONS… That’s a more valid Triple H criticism than anything else tried lately by online marks.

You’re welcome for the playbook, but you can read my columns during the 2010s to see that I’ve been incredibly consistent of being critical of Triple H’s talent signings, talent assessments, and talent developmental.

The Game sucks at signing and developing talent, period.

And why AEW hasn’t spoke to Jim Ross about signing and developing young talent is beyond me. Tony Khan is a total idiot for not utilizing an absolute genius on his payroll. I would give Jim Ross a staff of about 10 or more people and have them dedicated to learning whatever Jim Ross can teach them and then go execute what he taught them.

Mr. Tito Column Archive @ NoDQ

The post MR. TITO: The REAL and LEGIT Criticism That Most WWE Marks Are Missing about Triple H appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

Before I head into topics, I was wanting to see the College Football Playoff in the comfort of my own home and with that, I painfully forked over the $29.99 for ESPN+. Thus, I have the subscription to actually watch the Royal Rumble… Excuse me, the “Oil Rumble” next week. So yay for me, but let me just suggest that this ESPN+ platform SUCKS. Difficult to find stuff to watch, videos are glitching, and there’s nothing else WWE related to watch on this platform versus the older WWE Network and what Peacock gave us. Though Peacock didn’t have what the original WWE Network fully had, I enjoyed binging NBC/Universal stuff that I hadn’t seen yet when I’d buy just the major PLE events.

Wrestling fans are getting RIPPED OFF HARD with this new ESPN+ deal. What a joke for this $30 price tag, and I find myself considering to skip Wrestlemania 42 this year unless the card is worthy of my time. Sorry, but paying $10-15 and then expecting to pay $30 for LESS in return is absurd to me and TKO can stick it, brother.

I’ll maintain my “write when I want” mode when topics are relevant to get me out and about.

On to some various wrasslin’ topics.

Where is Roman Reigns for Wrestlemania 42?

As the plans formulate, there are discussions as to who will go for which world title and wrestle when on the Wrestlemania card. CM Punk is the World Heavyweight Champion while Drew McIntyre is the current WWE Champ. Seems to me that Cody Rhodes is going to win either the Rumble (3 times winner?!?) or the Elimination Chamber to face Drew McIntyre at WM 42. That leaves CM Punk… I believe we’re going to see Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar at WM 42, so thus that leaves CM Punk without a credible opponent. Obvious to me, it should be Roman Reigns.

BUT – I’m not to keen on pushing Roman Reigns to the moon right now. After all, he’s the “public school teacher” of the WWE because once Wrestlemania is completed, he just disappears until SummerSlam without any storyline explanation (Shawn Michaels used to be very similar, as Kevin Nash once noted for desiring summers off from wrestling). Even after SummerSlam, his participation is questionable. All it takes is his desire to spend more time with his family (which I respect) or maybe a movie role, and he just suddenly disappears.

Here is Roman’s last 5 years of output.

2021: 61
2022: 52
2023: 11
2024: 6
2025: 7

And yes, I am of the belief that “less is more” when it comes to professional wrestling, as over-exposing yourself weekly on RAW or Smackdown reduces the shine from a wrestler.

But where I think Roman peaked was through 2023 when he held BOTH WWE Titles of both RAW and Smackdown, but you barely saw him with his mere 11 matches. Hence why the WWE merged his 2 titles and re-created the World Heavyweight Championship for RAW. Read through the complaints of fans during 2023, and it was heavily based on the fact that Roman barely appeared as champion.

Now, if you look at his 2021 and 2022 numbers, those match counts are actually lower than his previous output of 100-250 matches per year.

And yes, Brock Lesnar was a part-time wrestler who wrestled a very limited schedule, mostly being exclusive to PLEs which is what Roman has evolved into. HOWEVER, what made Brock Lesnar BEFORE 2020 and Roman Reigns of 2020-2023 very similar is that they didn’t have to attend every show and could utilize Paul Heyman as their proxy. When Brock and Roman took time off, Heyman was there to still cut promos and maintain their presence and keep their hype and mystiques as the top stars still alive. For Roman, he also had the fellow Bloodline members during 2021-2023 to also keep the storylines going when Roman took time off.

THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE…

Look what happened during 2024 and 2025, however, for Roman Reigns.

For 2024, Roman Reigns lost his WWE Title at Wrestlemania 40. Rather that pursuing an obvious “rematch clause”, he disappears and doesn’t show up again until SummerSlam 2024. There was ZERO anger from Roman about losing his WWE Title and things were made even worse when Paul Heyman was powerbombed through a table during late June 2024 at the MSG Smackdown episode by the new Bloodline with Solo Sikoa claiming himself as the “head of the table”. We heard NOTHING from Roman and he never cared one iota about Heyman getting attacked by this new Bloodline group.

For 2025, Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman completed screwed him at Wrestlemania 41. On the night after RAW, at least they sort of tried to explain his Summer Vacation by having Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins. Still, he disappeared for 3 months to return later in July to feud with Bron and newly joined Vision member Bronson Reed for SummerSlam time. Shortly thereafter, he’s off to filming something again. Then he comes back during November for Survivor Series time in a slapped together WarGames match.

In my view, Roman is NOT the same without the Bloodline stable and Paul Heyman supporting him, even when Roman is gone for a while. With the Bloodline and Paul, they maintained the presence of the “head of the table” but without it, you forget that Roman is the top guy on the WWE roster. He seems lost and the match quality just isn’t the same without that hype of belonging to the Bloodline or having Paul Heyman in your corner.

He’s kind of reverted back to that LAME and BORING babyface character that wasn’t exciting during the late 2010s.

THAT’s the difference, folks… Before 2024, he had Heyman and the Bloodline maintaining his presence as the top guy. Now, that hype machine no longer exists and Roman lacks that sense of purpose other than bragging he’s the “Original Tribal Chief”. So what? You disposed of solo to start 2025, YET you were denied that big storyline with the Rock that leads to Rock putting over Roman. There’s just no purpose to Roman, other than riding off the fumes of the prior years when the Bloodline was cool. Hell, everyone involved with the Bloodline, past or present, are struggling and that includes Heyman going through the motions as the manager of the revolving door Vision.

Big creative changes are needed for Roman… He needs to take the training wheels off and begin obliterating the WWE roster again. Go into the Rumble, eliminate 10 people, and make it ZERO question who THE GUY is. Then, stick it to “old man” CM Punk convincingly at Wrestlemania 42. Then on the RAW after WM 42, the Rock’s pompous and pampered ass gets flown in to attack Roman Reigns to FINALLY set-up the match we’ve all wanted. And then we’re back on track.

No triple threat matches, no fatal four ways… Just have a babyface character that kicks ass and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Getting placed in a lame WarGames match or having to LOSE to jabronies like Bronson Reed isn’t the way to handle what you consider a top star.

And yes, “less is more”… But if you don’t maintain some form of presence, such as Paul Heyman talking about you in high regard weekly, then we’ll forget about your greatness.

*****

Royal Rumble – Where’s the Beef?

Right now, we keep hearing of a LACK of hype for the 2026 Royal Rumble or as I call it, the “Oil Rumble” because getting this show in Saudi Arabia was fully paid by oil money.

I just don’t think the WWE has any reason to sell tickets, as things are handled differently in Saudi Arabia with tickets to patrons versus trying to sell them here in North America. While the Rumble itself sells, sometimes they need to do a little more with participants and positioning of wrestlers to get North American crowds convinced to part with their money.

I just think with the Oil Rumble 2026, WWE already has their money and doesn’t have to work for it compared to selling tickets somewhere here in North America. WWE makes no money off of ticket sales in Saudi, which is the difference.

*****

Will you give Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) a try?

I still need to, as I’ve heard good things about the promotion particularly with Vince Russo motivated and writing again. I’m glad that he’s back, doing what he loves…

Regardless of what you think about Russo, he has a legitimate track record of writing for WWE during its boom period of 1997-1999 and then WWE began to decline through mid-2000 after he left. However, Russo was in WCW during the year 2000 and those storylines, including making himself WCW Champion along with David Arquette, were awful. WCW during 2000 was pure garbage, with over 20 WCW Title changes and many vacancies. And then there is WCW Bash at the Beach 2000, which was a total embarrassment aside from making Booker T champion.

His TNA stuff is mixed for me, but I know many who liked it…

If you’re going to set-up Vince Russo to succeed you either need to give him a stacked roster, which he had during 1997-1999 to work with, or cut all of the corporate red tape and just let him go for it. I think what JCW has obtained is an older, wiser Vince Russo who has had time to reflect on his career while also discussing things with wrestling fans via his podcast. As I get older, I totally get that perspective as wisdom and hindsight can make you improve upon things. In my opinion, Triple H returned to the WWE as a better man for the job during 2022 after reflecting what he tried and failed to do for WWE during 2012-2019.

Good for Russo and good for JCW. If I find time, I’ll give it a try…

I’m a big hesitant on JCW, as I still bear scars from being threatened by Insane Clown Posse (ICP) fans anytime I dared to discuss their appearances in the WWE and WCW during my past columns. But hey, ICP has been in the wrestling business for a while now and might surprise me.

*****

I don’t like WWE Unreal on Netflix

Watching Season 2, I’m seeing the WWE expose way too much of their “secret sauce” on Netflix. Specifically, the backstage production table micro-managing literally everything that happens inside and outside of the ring. If I’d suggest ONE EDIT to these shows, I’d remove that part because it makes the wrestlers appear like scripted robots rather than wrestlers performing. When you have Triple H screaming at everyone to tell Pat McAfee to sell the attack from Gunther, it completely exposes the business.

Yes, I know, “kayfabe” is long lost… But by openly having Triple H or his road agents sending communications to the referees or other WWE officials to tell the wrestlers what to specifically do, I lack any belief in what the wrestlers do.

If they removed that exposed micro-managing, I’d like the show a lot more. You could still have the life stories, show everyone working hard backstage, etc. But to show WWE producers screaming in microphones and instructing the wrestlers via the referee makes the WWE look very tacky from this Unreal show. If they removed the exposure of that, then fans wouldn’t openly know how controlling that production table is backstage and then the action inside the ring looks more credible.

I thought the show really exposed the weakness of having Road Dogg on Creative, as he’s just weak on ideas, and how impulsive Triple H really is in wanting surprises to happen. Road Dogg, who came from a wrestling family and has years of experience, just doesn’t seem to understand creative or how to convey it to other performers. Triple H, on the other hand, legitimately wanted Pat McAfee to defeat Gunther as a shock or surprise to fans until being talked out of it by another Creative Team member. That kind of tells me how reliant HHH is on how to manipulate fans with different shocks or twists, even when they are bad decisions.

If WWE removed the production table to ring communication, the show would be more enjoyable. However, because it’s there, I see nothing but constant micro-managing. And if you’ve worked in any corporate setting, being micro-managed sucks.

So what are your thoughts? Professionally state them down below in the Comments section. Thanks!

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Honestly for me, I see many problems with Survivor Series 2025 on Saturday (11/29/25). Let me list the many issues that I have with this TKO produced show.

#1 – WWE events work better in arenas, not stadiums.
Right now on Ticketmaster.com, if you wanted to purchase the CHEAPEST ticket for this event at Petco Stadium in San Diego, CA, it will cost you $107.20. Nevermind the parking cost (between $40 and $100), you’ll endure the upper deck of that facility with massive structures around the ring that block your view plus the BRIGHT lights that will be staring at you all night long.

By the way, this event is NOT sold out… Plenty of seats available.

And if you ponied up for the ringside view (paying over $2,000 and up to $5,000 PER TICKET), just realize that thanks to the WarGames format, there are two rings side-by-side. Enjoy the neck strain of looking back and forth, no matter what ticket that you purchased.

#2 – WarGames Theme Sucks
If you are going to have these ignorant cage matches, trying to rehash Dusty’s old idea, then stop calling it “Survivor Series”. Survivor Series, which was invented by the WWE, features 5 on 5 or 4 on 4 elimination style match-ups. It was invented to counter and defeat the promotion who created the “War Games” cage format, NWA Mid-Atlantic territory which later become World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

By the way, the 5 on 5 or 4 on 4 elimination style match-ups were MORE EXCITING than those cage matches. Take out the top War Games match-ups from NWA’s past, and you’re left with many bad match-ups. Often, the Survivor Series match-up allowed for midcarders and main eventers to actually work together and it created a measuring stick for wrestlers to potentially climb up the card. Then, WWE made its Royal Rumble plans and then Wrestlemania plans.

Wrestlers are NO GOOD to a wrestling promotion if they are INJURED. Having cage matches, which encourages stupid stunts by the wrestlers, are recipes for disaster for the WWE as it heads into Rumble to Wrestlemania season when they need their top wrestlers to be healthy. Furthermore, great match-ups DO NOT need match gimmicks to succeed. A 5 on 5 classic Survivor Series match-up would draw equally was well as this stupid catch match this year. That’s a FACT. People aren’t watching Survivor Series just for the cage match, no, they are watching because CM Punk and Roman Reigns are teaming up against a team that features Brock Lesnar. THAT IS THE DRAW, not a stupid cage covering 2 rings.

Plus, now that WarGames is the Survivor Series theme, it’s ridiculous to think that wrestlers are like “well, it’s November, might as well have a cage match”.

NO!!! If you’re going to have a big match that involves cages, ladders, tables, chairs, of no-disqualification standards, then the STORYLINE should induce it, not the month of the event!

Because it’s November, both men and women have to wrestle in a catch that spans 2 rings. That is such LAZY booking.

#3 – The Vision Sucks
Even when Seth Rollins was there, this stable did nothing for me or most wrestling fans. Attendance and viewership have both dropped since the Seth/Paul Heyman heel turn and forming of the group occurred. Switching back and forth between heel, face, and tweener has burned Seth out as a wrestler, while Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed just aren’t exciting as characters.

You can tell that Bronson is a “Triple H guy”, based on the way he’s incorporated into bigger WWE storylines. I, along with other wrestling fans, felt NOTHING when Reed defeated Roman Reigns. Again, HHH, you can keep pushing guys like him, Kross, Black, or Priest… Brooding big guys, which was your template, just doesn’t draw when the in-ring performances aren’t exciting or mic skills/personality aren’t there.

With Bron Breakker… He’s a more athletic version of his Dad and Uncle, but he lacks personality like those two. Rick Steiner was the “Dog Faced Gremlin” and brought a lot to the table as a singles wrestler, back in the day, when he was feuding with the Varsity Club. Took Scott Steiner a while, but “Big Poppa Pump” was full of personality and thrived when he finally made the heel turn to join the NWO. Bron has been switched between heel and face too many times, and honestly, I think being seen too much in NXT actually exposed him in the WWE.

Paul Heyman’s time deserves better. If I were booking the ending of Survivor Series 2025, I’d have Heyman fully rejoin Brock Lesnar and then have Lesnar just obliterate Breakker and Reed. Vision is over and we can at least have 1 great heel for the many babyfaces (Punk and Reigns, especially) to challenge. As the NoDQ Review guys said the other night, there’s real money in a big CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar feud and I agree.

#4 – Survivor Series could be renamed to OLDER Series
Let’s look at the average age of the WarGames main event on the male side:

CM Punk = 47
Cody Rhodes = 40
Jey Uso = 40
Jimmy Uso = 40
Roman Reigns = 40

Versus

Brock Lesnar = 48
Bronson Reed = 37
Bron Breakker = 28
Logan Paul = 30
Drew McIntyre = 40

Now, in pro wrestling circles, many top performers work well into their 40s… I’m NOT disputing that, as often, that is still the prime for many performers.

My issue is WHAT IS BEHIND those wrestlers coming up in the WWE midcard or in the NXT developmental system.

I already discussed my concerns with Reed and Breakker above… For Logan Paul, I see all kinds of superstar potential with him, but he has only wrestled 25 matches in 4 years and from those matches, he has a 11-14 win/loss record. All of the top guys have already defeated him, while most of Paul’s wins are against midcarders or someone line AJ Styles past their prime. Thus, rebuilding him would take time if there were ever consistent considerations to make him a long-term main eventer.

With Lesnar, Punk, the Usos, Reigns, Drew, and Cody, we’ve seen each of them achieve their peak moments and already wrestle virtually everybody already. Punk vs. Cody or Punk vs. Lesnar, in my opinion, is the only thing that remains from this group with any form of juice to draw.

The WEAKNESS of WWE Developmental should be a major concern for the strategy makers at TKO. This has been a massive issue of the WWE for YEARS, as I’ve argued for 15 years now. The trainers on the male side just aren’t teaching personality, mic skills, or encouraging charisma like they used to in OVW or FCW. Hell, look at this match-up… Aside from Breakker, who was a John Laurinaitis signing, Reed, and Paul, it’s all OVW and FCW signed and developed guys. Roman started in FCW, by the way, and was later moved over to NXT.

#5 – Why is there a female WarGames match?
Sorry, but I dislike having 2 of the same special match on the same card. Completely waters down the events when 2 of the same match happens, such as TLC, Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WarGames. “Too much of a good thing” and “less is more” should be principles for the WWE to consider with these specialty matches.

And I just don’t get the psychology of the match-up, either, as it feels so thrown together unless the babyface unravels. The babyface with Rhea, Iyo, Charlotte, Alexa, and AJ Lee is far more stacked and interesting compared to Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Kabuki Warriors, and Becky Lynch.

#6 – If Nikki Bella wins, San Diego fans should riot.
DISCLAIMER: I’m joking and being sarcastic with the “riot” comment! Fans in attendance should obviously not riot.

Sorry, but older Nikki Bella with in-ring mileage and injuries mounted should not be wrestling Stephanie Vaquer. This is likely going to be staged right before the men’s WarGames match to allow everyone to get one last beer or take a piss at the stadium.

If Nikki wins, this is an absolute crime and diminishes the women’s title that Vaquer holds. In fact, if I were booking this, I’d have Stephanie absolutely obliterate her within 1 minute. That, or just toy with her for 5 minutes and let the fans enjoy it.

Nikki Bella just isn’t good inside the ring, but that’s merely thanks to getting older and the injuries she sustained. Remember, she retired due to her neck injury and the cyst inside her head. Thus, she’s overly protective inside the ring and afraid of taking any risks. The end result equals a bad performance by her, especially against performers who are more athletic than her right now.

#7 – Dominik Mysterio should defeat John Cena to win back the IC Title
Recently, ESPN listed Dominik Mysterio as the top wrestler under 30 years of age. Hard to dispute, as Dominik has more than proven himself as a PERSONALITY who is magnetic with fans. While I think he’s a solid worker, it’s his personality, charisma, and confidence that sets him apart from many other wrestlers his age. The guy totally owned his character and has made a name for himself.

This is a big stage for Cena and Dom, and a perfect one for Dom to steal a win from Cena, if not outright defeating him. However, I think WWE needs to save that big CLEAN win for someone else for Cena’s final match and thus can get away with Dom CHEATING TO WIN instead. In fact, Dirty Dom should defeat Cena with a past method used by Eddie Guerrero as a 20-year tribute to a guy once alleged to be his father. Cena can then just laugh inside the ring that Dom did him, much like Eddie would, and then Cena can just move on to the big retirement match without feeling any need to get revenge on Dominik.

#8 – WWE should incorporate Mr. Tito’s idea for Survivor Series
I have suggested this idea for YEARS! Instead of having these STUPID and I repeat STUPID WarGames cage matches, WWE should retain the 5 on 5 Survivor Series elimination matches but with a massive special stipulation on the match.

The top 5 babyfaces and then the top 5 heels should face-off with the classic elimination style matches, unless WWE really wants RAW and Smackdown teams instead. Whatever the format may be, the basic idea is that the WINNING TEAM receives slots #26-30 at the WWE Royal Rumble while slots #1-5 are given to the LOSING TEAM. WWE could make it simpler by having the #1 seed as the reward for the lone survivor instead, and in the event that more than 1 person survive on the team, they should have a match during the December PLE to determine who gets that #1 seed.

My point is to LINK Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble together, while also placing a “sense of urgency” on the Survivor Series 5 on 5 classic elimination style match-up and the PLE.

The WarGames cage match is not only LAME, but a tired format. Tito’s plan of placing Royal Rumble positions up-for-grabs makes Survivor Series a much more interesting event.

Otherwise, if “WarGames” is going to continue to dominate Survivor Series, then make WarGames a separate event and either retire Survivor Series or make that a separate event? Give event to the Saudis, as they’ll literally buy anything that advertises what is currently happening in their country.

Actually, let’s give WarGames to the Saudis so they can enjoy those crappy matches while keeping the better WWE events here in North America where they were created and belong.

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But then, something changed… All Elite Wrestling (AEW) had arrived and quickly rose to being a reasonable competitor to the WWE. Soon, the WWE began locking up top talent to extensions on their deals and finally, Vince McMahon began to change-up the booking. After years upon years upon years of fans booing the overpushed Roman Reigns as a babyface, Vince finally pulled the trigger and turned Roman heel. Roman disappeared before Wrestlemania 36 for safety purposes, as he was still recovering from round #2 of Leukemia from 2018, but returned at SummerSlam 2020. Then, he was seen hanging out with Paul Heyman and the dawn of the new heel character had finally arrived.

Then, one by one, Roman would collect his family members like infinity stones as Jey, Jimmy, and their debuting brother Solo Sikoa would unite and form the Bloodline. Since the Shield broke up during 2014, as the WWE literally broke them up during their peak following defeating Evolution twice in a row, the WWE struggled with forming and pushing stables that mattered. As history has shown, heel stables draw well and help create much needed conflict and layers for babyfaces to fight through before fighting the world champion and/or leader of the group. Four Horsemen in the NWA during the 1980s, New World Order for WCW during 1996-1997, Degeneration X during 1997-1998 and later as Triple H’s flunkies during 2000, the Corporation during 1998-1999, and Evolution during 2002-2004 served their purpose for babyfaces to overcome.

To me, the Bloodline rapidly improved during late 2022 when Sami Zayn was added to the group. He added a new dynamic in terms of an internal conflict and some much needed comedy, as the Bloodline before Sami was added was becoming too dominant. Roman unified the 2 World Titles at Wrestlemania 38 during April 2022 while the Usos also unified the Tag Titles. They were too dominant… But then Sami Zayn presented the “cracks in the wall”, as him joining the group created controversy inside the group and then at Royal Rumble 2023, everything blew up when Sami turned on the Bloodline. For Wrestlemania 39, the Usos finally had met their match for the Tag Titles against Sami and Kevin Owens while Roman Reigns finally found a worthy babyface opponent in Cody Rhodes who was riding his dad’s chase for the title storyline quite hard.

After Wrestlemania 39, things cooled down a touch… Roman was World Champion, but he barely defended the title leading to the RAW brand to create the World Heavyweight Championship for something to defend. When Roman was there, he dealt with the storyline of the Usos leaving the Bloodline and feuding with them. Decent matches, but not as exciting as the 2020 matches with Jey Uso which really established Roman as a heel. Instead of Cody Rhodes avenging Solo or Roman for cheating to win at Wrestlemania 39, he was thrust into an extensive feud with Brock Lesnar. Things settled down a bit during the late Spring and throughout the Summer of 2023 until SummerSlam rolled around and it appeared that after Cody slayed Brock Lesnar, he was going to be the man pushed to get a rematch at Wrestlemania 40.

But then we received an entirely different 2024… The Rock returns to the WWE and at first was thrust into a one-on-one match with Roman Reigns, the “Dream Match” but online fan rejection of that match caused a pivot to have Rock/Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins/Cody Rhodes on Night #1 and Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns on Night #2. The fan rejection of Rock being shoved into the WWE Title match changed plans for the Rock and he returned to his “Hollywood” Rock persona and dubbed himself the “Final Boss” of the Bloodline. With PEAK WWE Rock back, viewership and attendance SURGED during the Spring of 2024. After Wrestlemania 40 was said and done, Rock, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins (due to injury) took extended time off while the rest of the roster had to pull the wagon onward.

My point is this…

Yes, turning Roman Reigns HEEL was a great idea and it vastly improved the robotic John Cena babyface clone that we saw throughout the 2010s. No doubt about it, as Paul Heyman was highly influential and Jey Uso, especially, was a pivotal member of the group to pull initial good matches out of Roman, building the drama between Sami and Jimmy, and let’s make no mistake about it… Jimmy Uso was OVER during 2024 and 2025, insomuch that he DESERVED to win the World Title at Wrestlemania 41. I know that is a controversial take, but the boy pushed merchandise bigtime and had 10,000+ people hopping in arenas. Jey Uso was consistently in the top 5 of merchandise sales during this time and thus deserves credit for being a major part of the Bloodline.

Let’s look at some numbers…

RAW & Smackdown – Viewership (Source: Gerweck.net)

Quarter RAW # % Smackdown # %
1Q 2020 2,085,615 N/A 2,507,846 N/A
2Q 2020 1,847,000 -11.4% 2,103,385 -16.1%
3Q 2020 1,716,154 -7.1% 2,002,154 -4.8%
4Q 2020 1,734,071 1.0% 1,745,500 -12.8%
1Q 2021 1,851,769 6.8% 2,129,538 22.0%
2Q 2021 1,751,692 -5.4% 2,012,231 -5.5%
3Q 2021 1,790,846 2.2% 2,147,923 6.7%
4Q 2021 1,518,000 -15.2% 1,678,929 -21.8%
1Q 2022 1,721,769 13.4% 2,190,000 30.4%
2Q 2022 1,759,154 2.2% 2,053,231 -6.2%
3Q 2022 1,867,077 6.1% 2,172,846 5.8%
4Q 2022 1,593,231 -14.7% 1,926,385 -11.3%
1Q 2023 1,834,077 15.1% 2,366,077 22.8%
2Q 2023 1,803,846 -1.6% 2,308,846 -2.4%
3Q 2023 1,679,077 -6.9% 2,147,308 -7.0%
4Q 2023 1,408,308 -16.1% 1,818,462 -15.3%
1Q 2024 1,714,000 21.7% 2,397,615 31.8%
2Q 2024 1,746,692 1.9% 2,252,615 -6.0%
3Q 2024 1,651,769 -5.4% 2,026,308 -10.0%
4Q 2024 1,522,143 -7.8% 1,347,786 -33.5%
1Q 2025 3,000,000 97.1% 1,532,077 13.7%
2Q 2025 2,838,462 -5.4% 1,476,923 -3.6%

Do you see the pattern? Good first quarter thanks to Royal Rumble to Wrestlemania, with some of that influencing second quarter numbers. Third quarter rebounds, as we’re heading into SummerSlam season… And then fewer are watching during the fourth quarter, historically…

BUT, that pattern is broken through the third quarters of 2023 and 2024, which both featured SummerSlam.

As I was hinting at before, the post Wrestlemania 39 era felt kind of cold and I just don’t think the newer iteration of Roman Reigns and Jey Uso feuding and then headlining the SummerSlam 2023 show really took with fans. Bloodline seemed to be spinning and really, the Rock joining them as the “Final Boss” kind of saved the group during early 2024.

But then 2024 happens… Yes, Cody Rhodes didn’t appear as dominant of a champion, wrestling the likes of AJ Styles and Logan Paul. Not all the way his fault, with the Rock disappearing and Roman taking his 3 month long summer vacation.

Roman Reigns returned during SummerSlam 2024, which is during August, and then we had a full month of September to digest this… Now granted, we switched over to USA Network during this period of time, but what explains the UGLY 33% fourth quarter decline for 2024? BABYFACE Roman Reigns was on that show and just wasn’t exciting teaming up with Cody Rhodes and chasing after the “new” Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa.

My issue with Roman is that he was turned babyface at SummerSlam 2024 after taking over 3 months off and showing ZERO concern for Paul Heyman after late June 2024’s attack on Smackdown in Madison Square Garden. On top of that, Roman didn’t invoke his WWE Title rematch clause after the disappointing loss to Cody Rhodes. He returned a weaker person and turned babyface without much reason other than 1 guy wearing his necklace named Solo who shouldn’t be wrestling in the main event scene yet. The way Roman SHOULD have turned babyface as slaying the “Final Boss” Rock, but that match seems to not be happening now. Roman seems kind of lost as a newly turned babyface, to which his matches are kind of being thrown together for this year’s Wrestlemania and now SummerSlam 2025.

There’s more to this equation… Let’s dig deeper into the numbers.

How about attendance?

WWE Attendance (Source: Wrestlenomics.com)

Year # Total Attendance Per Event Avg
2020 41 310,000 7,561
2021 99 750,000 7,576
2022 232 1,750,000 7,543
2023 214 1,940,000 9,065
2024 176 1,880,000 10,682

Fascinating how similar the averages are for 2020, 2021, and 2022 per event (mind you, 2020 and 2021 were heavily influenced by COVID restrictions). Look at 2023 and 2024… Good jumps, as I’d argue business really picked up through Rumble 2023 and Wrestlemania 39 had some great business around it. Momentum still held up, even when Roman barely defended the title and seemed to often feud with the Usos instead of expanding his horizons with other feuds or opponents.

But then 2024 happens… Yes, business surged during early 2024 thanks to the Rock returning to the WWE and taking on a very active storyline role. But then he left after Wrestlemania. So did Roman Reigns. Even when Roman returned at SummerSlam 2024, he barely wrestled and took nights off often for TV shows.

However, what happened with RAW/Smackdown viewership and attendance? Remained reasonably high, especially attendance. WWE television shows consistently draw 10,000 bodies in seats while Premium Live Events are packing football stadiums. Without Rock and Roman for both 2024 and 2025, guys like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jey Uso, Drew McIntyre, Gunther, the returning John Cena, maybe Bron Breaker, and top stars in the female division such as Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, and others might be COLLECTIVELY pulling the WWE wagon.

Something has happened since the 2023 sale to Endeavor and then the formation of TKO.

Since Endeavor purchased Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Endeavor has really pushed the BRAND hard of UFC rather than individual fighters. There are fewer fighters today becoming household names that are well known outside of the hardcore fanbase, but UFC as a brand guarantees hard hitting fights no matter who is inside the octagon. With boxing not being consistent in terms of Pay Per View delivery, UFC has thrived and sells by its BRAND and no so much about who is on the card.

I think Endeavor and it’s subsidiary TKO are doing the same thing with WWE. Rather than being too reliant on a top star, it’s a COLLECTIVE of multiple good wrestlers that are appealing to wrestling fans. Think about the 2010s… When John Cena reduced his role to part-time through 2015, viewership for RAW dropped from 4 million per show to less than 2 million in just a few years without him. Houseshow attendance also cratered without Cena. WWE for the late 2000s and early 2010s was TOO DEPENDENT on John Cena that it declined business when they tried to shove Roman’s square peg into the babyface round hole.

The FACT is that after Wrestlemania 39 during 2023, it has been proven that Roman Reigns wasn’t as big of a draw as maybe he was appearing to be through Wrestlemania 39 during 2023. The team of Roman, Usos, and Solo with Paul Heyman managing was a strong group and with the right babyface in place in Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes during 2023, it was like gasoline to a fire. But after Wrestlemania 39, the Bloodline lost their value… BUT, the rest of the WWE roster was getting better simultaneously as the Bloodline was peaking through Wrestlemania 39. WWE gets super lucky to add CM Punk to that growing and improving roster during late 2023 and WWE has been doing great, AS A BRAND, with a loaded roster for 2024 and 2025.

In my opinion, Roman Reigns has been an improved wrestler since August 2020. In my opinion, he wasn’t used well during 2015 through early 2020 as Vince pushed him as a sterile babyface wrestler. I also think that he was rushed to the main roster without much experience and nobody was agenting his matches well during the 2010s. Then, he get Paul Heyman in his ear and advising him for 2020-2024. On top of that, the well experienced Uso brothers, particularly Jey Uso, were ready for more expanded roles versus just remaining in the tag team division.

BUT, I think much of the evidence shows that the Bloodline group PARTICULARLY when they obtained Sami Zayn and then feuded with Cody Rhodes during late 2022 and throughout the first half of 2023 is when things greatly expanded for the WWE. The rest of 2023 and 2024 after Wrestlemania, though, wasn’t fully reliant on quality stuff by Roman Reigns and the WWE showed a ton of resilience by keeping numbers higher.

Here we are during 2025… Netflix RAW numbers are holding steady near 3 million per show while Smackdown on USA Network, a smaller TV Channel than FOX, at around 1.5 million. 10,000+ for TV shows and much higher for PLEs. WWE is making money HAND OVER FIST with merchandising.

Oh, and about those ticket prices… WWE has significantly RAISED tickets on both tickets and merchandise for 2025. Yeah, I felt that gouging at Royal Rumble 2025 and the folks in Las Vegas felt it much more for Wrestlemania 41. Higher prices, yet high amounts of tickets and merchandise were sold at record numbers. Royal Rumble had its record attendance and third best gate ever, while the Columbus, OH Monday Night RAW did its record gate and attendance for Nationwide Arena and that venue has held many WWE shows for the past 25 years.

Viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales all have held strong since Wrestlemania 41 and with higher prices for merch/attendance. Yet, Roman disappeared after Wrestlemania 41 and just recently re-appeared a few weeks ago. No Roman, no problem… The WWE brand is strong and can absorb Roman’s absence and will prove to be resilient around Seth’s possible injury.

WWE’s overall brand is STRONG while the focal point doesn’t necessarily on Roman at all times. Many insist that he has to main event EVERY big show. No, he doesn’t… Tickets in New York City are moving just fine with Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena part deux as the second night’s main event.

If you asked me before Wrestlemania 39 about WWE’s dependency on Roman Reigns, then I’d agree that they needed him always to be on top. BUT, the WWE roster and its brand have changed since 2023 and that’s thanks to WWE building up its roster and following Endeavor/TKO’s idea over pushing BRAND versus individual faces of companies.

In my list of top draws ever, Roman is just a bit below the top draws of all time with Andre, Hogan, Austin, Rock, Cena, Flair, and Taker… BUT, hanging around the likes of Roddy Piper, Macho Man, Sting, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Brock Lesnar, and Triple H isn’t a bad achievement.

Now that he’s babyface, I need to see a new evolution of his character… Without the “Final Boss” Rock putting him over to solidify him as a babyface, I just don’t believe in Roman’s character. Seems lost out there and WWE may need to rethink good heel opponents, too.

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I just want to say a special congrats to Roman Reigns for landing the role of Akuma in the upcoming Street Fighter video game film. Hopefully, the studio does this version of the film better than the 1990s one, though Raul Julia’s performance as M. Bison was incredible despite him actually dying of cancer at the time. Akuma is a big antagonist of Ken and Ryu, though I feel his appearance in the Street Fighter games took away the effectiveness of M. Bison as the lead villain. You know, kind of like an overpushed babyface version of Roman Reigns from 2015 through early 2020 that drown out everybody and caused WWE to lose over 2 million RAW viewers.

However for Roman Reigns, it’s MORE TIME-OFF… We haven’t seen him since Wrestlemania 40, as one would think he’d psychologically want to rush back and get revenge on Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins. Nope, disappearing for 3 months is how Roman does it and then he’ll hope that fans, with their short-term memories, will remember past storylines.

It’s one thing to take extensive time-off when you’re in a HOT heel stable and you’ve got Paul Heyman or other stablemates to carry the load. Hence why the Bloodline storyline was so successful, and hence why Brock Lesnar was so successful. When Roman and Brock wanted to take extensive vacations, Paul Heyman could speak for them and keep the memories of both wrestlers alive. However, without Paul Heyman representing them and helping them to agent their matches, they don’t look as strong.

Taking time-off as a major babyface without a Paul Heyman or supporting stable is a mistake… Fans want someone to root for against the top heels, but if you’re not there, it’s the next man up.

To me, this babyface run of Roman Reigns since SummerSlam 2024 has been a failure. Business didn’t pick back up like it did during Wrestlemania 40, as The Rock re-appearing did that… But if you look at Wrestlemania 41 tickets, nobody was tripping over themselves to see Roman vs. Punk vs. Rollins. No, it wasn’t until John Cena turned heel that momentum shifted and helped get Wrestlemania 41 from about 42,000 tickets sold (Wrestlemania always sells moderately well) to 60,000.

Then you look at someone like Jey Uso who is moving merchandise and is very popular with the fans. That guy doesn’t receive the credit for the Bloodline storyline, but remember, he was the first family member to join the group and gave Roman his first good match as a heel. Then, Jey Uso was the key driver of the Sami Zayn storyline. While I’ll agree that Jey’s in-ring ability could improve, you cannot deny his personality that helped sell the group and storyline. Hence why he received a World Title at Wrestlemania 41 as a reward.

Without Roman Reigns during 2024 (also without the Rock, too, as he helped business surge during the first quarter) and now after Wrestlemania 41, business is the same as usual… Mostly over 10,000 attendees for all television tapings, massive attendance for Premium Live Events, and merchandise sales for NON-ROMAN wrestlers are going through the roof. Freakin’ Columbus, OH had their record gate for a random episode of RAW and that was a show, again, without Roman Reigns in sight.

This week’s Saudi “Night of Champions” show is headlined by John Cena and CM Punk. Yeah, 2011 and 2013 called, they are happy to see their big feud again.

And I’m sure we’ll see the Roman Reigns apologists come out and cry foul for what I’m daring to write here… It’s like in politics when entire networks like FOX or MSNBC provide state-run media for one candidate, while individual goofs from each side show unwavering love for one politician or another. Then you have people online like Laura Loomer who are literally in love with a particular candidate and defend literally anything that a politician does. I see this significantly with Roman Reigns and Vince McMahon love given by certain people online, and then extremely militant attacks on anyone who disagrees with their opinion. To a degree, AEW and Triple H lovers act that way too.

But I don’t care… WWE’s business is doing well whether Roman Reigns is there or not. Fact is that his spotlight was bigger and brighter with the Bloodline and Paul Heyman versus no longer being around either. With that, he’s sliding down my all-time greats list and maybe out of the top 10 for the WWE Wrestlemania Era.

Enjoy the time off, as we’ll enjoy not seeing your lackluster babyface run. Less is more…

Onto your questions.

ASK TITO: Your Questions My Answers

What do you think of CM Punk’s apologies to Saudi Arabia and its fans?

It’s typical of someone working for a company and having to do things. There are many events and social gatherings that I don’t want to attend, but I have to or the pressure is applied to do so. When you have customers with their fat dollar bills to please, you have to suck it up and get out there.

For Punk, his comment was directed at the Miz but his mention of “blood money” was a rough personal shot at the entire government. BUT, CM Punk rejoined WWE during 2023 which is right in the think of WWE taking said “blood money” from Saudi Arabia for their ongoing deal since the last 2010s.

Is CM Punk a hypocrite for tweeting what he did and now performing for them? Of course he is… But work makes you become a hypocrite in many ways when you get paid to present yourself a certain way or to schmooze with your clients.

I think that anyone who is critical of Punk acting like a professional to Saudi Arabia and its fans hasn’t worked for a more corporate setting where image and public relations mean everything.

That said, the HEAT that CM Punk is getting for acting this way in Saudi Arabia should tell the WWE that the timing is getting close to turn CM Punk heel. Punk is perceived as a rebel, but when he goes against that grain, his loyal fans get pissed.

*****

Predictions for WWE Night of Champions?

Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn: Y’all can keep telling me that Karrion’s online work is great, but the issue remains his in-ring performance and confidence as a performer. Plus, those ill-placed tattoos. HHH wants this guy pushed, so I’ll go with Kross.

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Rhea should mop the floor with her, but that’s why it is pro wrestling. Raquel is going to steal the win.

Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa: Jacob is the star, Solo didn’t shine in big moments granted to him during 2024. Should be a win by Jacob.

Asuka vs. Jade Gargill: WWE isn’t giving up on Jade yet. Asuka just came back, so I’ll go with Jade.

Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton: Plans appear to run back Cena vs. Cody for SummerSlam. So I’ll go with Cody, given that we’ve seen Orton vs. Cena already.

CM Punk vs. John Cena: Punk will get rewarded for being the company guy and he defeats John Cena. However, this will trigger a rematch and that’s probably where everyone’s expected call of Ron Killings joining Cena happens. WWE seems to be silent on Pay Per Views between here and SummerSlam, so maybe a quick rematch happens on Smackdown or another PLE is introduced? I don’t think it would be SNME.

*****

Thoughts on Cody Rhodes revealing he is at the “tail end of his babyface run”?

I hope that he said it on the Netflix WWE Unreal, too… This is what I dislike about Cody. He’s a guy who acts like a pro wrestler instead of living it and protecting it like his other family members.

With him saying this, everyone will now project that he’ll do a double-turn at SummerSlam 2025 with John Cena or something stupid like that. I can’t wait to hear about that for 2 whole months…

Here’s the thing about Cody… He was a successful babyface because (a) he bolted from AEW as an EVP, (b) received sympathy for his daddy never winning the WWE Title, and (c) he wrestled nothing but great opponents from 2022 through 2025. Straight facts. And he won 2 Royal Rumbles in a row.

The fact that his career was propped up by favorable conditions is the easy argument to flip him into heel…

But Cody, JUST SHUT UP about talking openly about storylines and where your character may go. Just let the stupid Netflix show WWE Unreal do that for you instead.

*****

Do you believe that Mariah May should have been named Blake Monroe in WWE?

No, but this is what WWE does for many unless they are bigger stars coming in (AJ Styles, for example). WWE can then copyright the name and with Mariah under WWE contact, they’ll require her to refer to her stage name too. Then, if she leaves the WWE, she’ll have to rebuild name recognition of her older name.

To me, they could have just called her “Mariah Monroe” and that’s the perfect name. “Blake Monroe” just doesn’t sound like a cool name and having it as a mixture of Marilyn Monroe and Blake Lively is lame. Plus, Blake Lively is having a very difficult time personally and professionally right now with reported behavior on-set and accusations made of others.

Listen… Names mean nothing, as if you have talent, you can get a name like “Farts Fisher” over. Seriously, Hunter Hearst Helmsley is what Triple H was dealt with and he got over no matter what he was called. Good talent always rises to the top.

*****

Should WWE keep bringing back Tony Hinchcliffe for their events?

Yes, but realize that WWE has a slightly different audience than UFC and a different one that doesn’t fully follow the Austin, TX comedy scene. WWE found that out during Wrestlemania 41 weekend when the roast had a few shocking things said. That said, I think there is a role for Tony working with the WWE. He’s actually a big wrestling fan and seems to have knowledge of the profession, and I really like watching Kill Tony from time-to-time, especially with good guests.

However, you’ve got to know your audience… While WWE is heavily favored towards adult males over 40 years old, there’s a lot of family attendees mixed in there that aren’t quite looking for the foul jokes. Great comedians can be funny no matter what environment they are in, which I hope Tony thinks about and considers this time around for SummerSlam.

He’s a popular guy wanting to invest time in WWE… I have no objections to having him there to help the WWE, but just think about your presentation just a tad. Different audience than what you have in Austin or in other settings dominated by adult men with thicker skin for jokes.

*****

Thoughts on Pat McAfee taking a break from commentating and explaining he was “exhausted”?

Many online wrestling fans hopped on this topic, suggesting that Pat cannot handle the tough WWE road schedule. No, the issue isn’t that… The issue is that Pat has a 5-days-per-week live podcast that airs on ESPN for 2 hours and then an additional 1 hour on YouTube daily. On top of that, he’s managing the company that airs that daily show while also having other ESPN commitments including preparing for College Football Gameday. And when you play the Corporate Game, you have to attend the Corporate Events. Same thing that explained about CM Punk performing for Saudi Arabia. Pat is also a father now and wants to spend time with his daughter.

To me, just retire from WWE and just run your podcast show and do College Gameday. Support WWE from your daily show and let that be the means of your WWE association.

Over-exposure is a real thing. As good as Pat may be on commentary, his VALUE remains his daily show on ESPN and keeping that a strong property. That’s what made him into a household name and gave him his biggest riches. What I don’t want is diminished returns on that part due to spreading Pat too thin. Thankfully, he has a great supporting crew on his daily show with AJ Hawk, the Toxic Table, and very loyal fans that can help move things along when Pat is burned out.

WWE money will always be waiting for you, as they are suckers for bringing in celebrities. But Disney money is permanent money that not everybody receives. Get that bag instead and a WWE announcing career will always be there as a backdrop if needed.

Follow me on Blue Sky!

Mr. Tito Column Archive @ NoDQ

The post ASK TITO: Roman Reigns, WWE Night of Champions 2025 Predictions, CM Punk & Saudi Arabia, and More appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

On a recent podcast, Coachmen suggested that Vince “wants to” purchase the WWE and has “people tipping him off” about the possibility.

Sigh…

Let’s look at some simple facts, as I could easily discredit Coachmen or the conspiracies that another person on the same podcast was firing off…

Vince McMahon holds about 4% of TKO’s stock, after selling the majority of his shares per his 2024 exist from the company as TKO Chairman. Vince was TKO Chairman, but resigned once details of his Janel Grant lawsuit came out during the week after Royal Rumble 2024.

There exists almost 200 million shares outstanding of TKO stock, according to the recent 10-Q report filed by TKO. 4% of that would be about 8 million shares, and 8 million times the $156.74 price equals about $1.2 billion. Now, whether that’s Class A or Class B shares, that’s not known and that could place upon different prices of the stock.

Endeavor reportedly owns at least 51% of the TKO stock and combined with other partners, as Silver Lake private equity firm now owns Endeavor, the combined interests of the holding company involving Endeavor appears to own about 60% of TKO. Thus, even if Vince McMahon can round up the older WWE shareholders that may still exist, the Silver Lake/Endeavor interests will outweigh him no matter what.

Forbes projects that Vince McMahon’s net worth is $3.1 billion. If my estimate of $1.2 billion in TKO stock is correct, that means he has $1.9 billion as possible liquid assets unless he has that tied up in real estate or other stocks/bonds. Kind of amazing that Vince McMahon is ONLY worth $3.1 billion after selling off WWE during 2023, but it goes to show you how tied up his money was within WWE stock rather than investing it in other financial assets that could have given him a higher rate of return.

Vince having $3.1 billion does give him some collateral to BORROW against, specifically with a company full of intellectual properties that might have some worth to allow for a bigger commercial loan to be obtained.

HOWEVER – Vince McMahon is now an investment risk based on his recent lawsuit and NDA settlements, along with him being forced to resign from TKO. Vince carries some baggage that could challenge his ability to market a newly acquired WWE with a large commercial loan. Maybe Vince could get a loan, but at a higher interest rate and with much more leaning on his own net worth as collateral.

How much is the WWE worth, though?

First and foremost, you cannot take the total net worth or market capitalization of TKO. UFC is a major property of TKO and accounts for at least half, if not more, of TKO’s net worth. There is definitely not a way for Vince to acquire TKO, for example… For one, he cannot perform a hostile takeover of TKO because of at least 51% owned by Endeavor, but the combined Silver Lake/Endeavor/other close investors hold at least 60%.

Thus, Vince would have to make an offer to TKO to purchase WWE directly from them.

Through 2023, WWE had total assets worth just over $1 billion, but that’s the balance sheet… Looking at market capitalization when you consider number of shares and value/potential value of the WWE stock, it’s much higher. During the sale process, there were discussions of WWE’s true net worth being $3-6 billion and combining WWE within the TKO holding company with UFC, the net worth grows to a reported $9 billion.

But TKO’s value seems to be growing and growing with UFC’s ongoing growth and WWE’s recent booming growth with recent TV deals and higher ticket prices.

Purchasing the WWE now comes with the TV contracts of Netflix with $500 million per year over the next 5-10 years, $280 million per year with USA Network, more millions with CW Network, a potential new deal for WWE PLEs and WWE Network once Peacock deal expires after 2025, and all kinds of international revenue streams. The deals could have been made with TKO as a company, too, would could make for some technical details in the transfer of ownership. If the TV deals are included in the sale of WWE, that certainly boosts the cost of WWE for any company earning over $780 million per year in television money.

Silver Lake/Endeavor is making too much money off the WWE to just sell them off… Thus, Vince McMahon might come up short with his current assets plus borrowing capacity. However, if Vince McMahon gets the backing of another interest, say someone from the Middle East, things could change.

That’s the part where I think Vince could have a chance… If he has Saudi money, for example, that is backing him and they offer something crazy like $15 billion for the WWE, then yes, it could happen.

But why, I ask, would Vince McMahon even go through the trouble of SELLING the WWE during 2023 when he could have just kept it in the first place?

Nobody will answer that exact question… Why sell to TKO during 2023 only to attempt to buy it back during 2025? Why not just continue to ride the wave of the growing WWE through 2023 instead?

Because I think Coachmen is just talking like a Vince McMahon mark, that’s why. Seems like there are many out there longing for the days of Vince McMahon micro-managing everything backstage with his iron fist, along with acting inappropriately with female employees of the WWE. The many Vince McMahon marks somehow have the gall to criticize Triple H’s version of WWE while completely ignoring the 2010s where Vince was shredding and rewriting scripts often for RAW. Did you enjoy that terrible babyface push of Roman Reigns during the 2010s, too?

Now, as I explored in my recent column, the recent acquirer of Endeavor is a private equity firm named Silver Lake and they are an investor in many companies. However, if you’ve been following bankruptcy proceedings of many companies like K-Mart/Sears, Joann Fabrics, Circuit City, Toys R Us, and other retail or restaurant staples of the United States, them being owned by a private equity firm has been the common thread. In fact, private equity firm ownership of a company is representative of the majority of bankruptcies in the United States.

Right now, WWE and UFC are doing well and ticket prices and other costs are able to be easily passed on to their fans. Plus, both have major television deals with cable and streaming outlets. However, those deals can expire and fans could eventually feel the pinch of higher prices that they begin reducing consumption of both WWE and UFC (probably not UFC). I also don’t see any strong youth movements with WWE’s developmental programs to replace top drawing stars of today who are in their late 30s or are within their 40s.

Honestly, there is a real chance in 5 years when the Netflix deal is lost (opting out early) and USA Network has lost more subscribers that something like $280 million per year is no longer worth it. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, the WWE could be potentially up for sale by 2030 and sold at a much cheaper price then. BUT Vince McMahon will be 84-85 years old by then.

Vince McMahon also has a very powerful friend in the White House whose Department of Justice and Securities Exchange Commission could probe the TKO corporation at any time, too, which could help reduce the value as well. You never know…

The idea of Vince McMahon + Foreign Investors would be the best potential route, especially if said foreign investors are willing to overpay to acquire the WWE. Many are suggesting that with no more Saudi events on the calendar, there may be friction between the Saudi government and WWE. However, WWE Royal Rumble 2026 will be in Saudi Arabia next year… If Saudi investors would back Vince McMahon to purchase WWE, I could see them being swayed to put Vince McMahon back in charge of the company.

With the way WWE is earning revenue, it’s going to take someone with deep pockets to overpay. Thus, Coachman is right if and only if Vince McMahon is backed by heavy Middle Eastern investors. Otherwise, it’s just not possible because I don’t believe Vince, himself, could obtain the capital needed to acquire a WWE with a bunch of revenue streams happening.

Until the Coach provides more details, I’m calling BULL on his claims for the moment… But if Vince McMahon has other investors with him to help acquire the WWE, then Coach could be right. Coach, however, hasn’t specified that possibility.

I’d watch what happens with the WWE, possibly if/when they are on the downswing following their peak 2023-2025 years. Keep an eye out for any additional sales of WWE assets or equity that Silver Lake owned Endeavor performs, too… But I really worry based on the price gouging for WWE live events that this corporate strip down process has already begun, as Silver Lake/Endeavor/TKO really seem to be squeezing that turnip hard to get the last drops out. From the high ticket prices to making cities overpay for big WWE events, they could be signs of Silver Lake squeezing out the last amounts that they can from WWE fans before moving on.

It’s the Coach and he tends to suck up to Vince, so I’d take his word with a grain of salt. However, Vince doesn’t have morals and is willing to sell out to anyone to help protect his own price.

Still makes me ask this basic question: Why sell during 2023, only to buy back at a much higher price 2 years later. Why waste time and money?

Vince McMahon, himself, cannot purchase WWE with his current assets and likely borrowing capacity. Foreign countries rich in Oil money can, however…

Personally, I would enjoy the big pile of money earned with the WWE and ride off into the sunset. However, Vince McMahon is fueled by ego and is unable to retire based on his driven personality. Then again, I’ve tried to ride off into the sunset by retiring this column but my drive on wanting to communicate my opinion with a wide audience of wrestling fans online keeps me going.

I just can’t get over selling in 2023 just to re-buy the company during 2025 for much more money. Why waste that much time and money?

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Oh really?

Like he wouldn’t sell the WWE?

Yeah, he did that and by FORCE, if you’ll recall… Remember that during early 2023 when he used his share count of WWE stock to overthrow the WWE board and return himself as Board Chairman? Funny how you online “wrestling” “fans” seem to remember that and it was just 2 years ago.

WWE causing a bidding process between cities for larger WWE events? That’s Vince McMahon’s plan and they’ve been doing that for decades, now… The only difference betwe1 en the past 4 years and now is that the WWE became a little more popular and the demand to host a big WWE event has gone up.

For anyone criticizing WWE sending the Royal Rumble to Saudi Arabia for 2026 along with maybe a future Wrestlemania moving there… Again, who began doing business with Saudi, even after the controversy over a member of the press being dealt with by their government? Yeah, that was Vince McMahon. He’s the one taking their money no matter what transgressions that country has.

Oh, and wasn’t Vince McMahon the guy who has at least 5 settlements totaling around $15 million dollars with several other settlements surrounding John Laurinaitis that pumps it up closer to $20 million? And weren’t said discretions NOT mentioned, at all, in WWE financial statements and 10-Q/10-K reports along with being paid out by WWE’s own money that wasn’t reported properly per Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations? Yeah, it literally took a close friend of Vince McMahon to become President to save Vince McMahon from serious criminal issues and WWE/TKO/Endeavor from seeing serious fines or other penalties. Justice Department also called off their legal dogs from serious assault and other predatory behavior of Vince, too, which is again associated with the recent election.

So for Wrestlemania 42 moving away from New Orleans, THIS is the hill that you want to die on? Wanting Vince McMahon to return because Wrestlemania moved away from New Orleans? Really?

I have a good feeling that if Vince were still Board Chairman of TKO, the same PRICE GOUGING and SELLING EVENTS TO HIGHEST BIDDER actions would still happen. You don’t know Vince McMahon well enough if you claim otherwise. “Greed” is his middle name.

So he wouldn’t put sponsors on his ring… But he put ads on literally everything else that he could.

ANYWAY, let’s get into the true subject of today’s discussion… Reports from credible sources within New Orleans, their own reporters in that city, and a few insiders reaching out to WWE officials willing to leak info is that Wrestlemania 42 is NOT happening in New Orleans. Now where it’s going is a question because again, WWE has not officially released something yet. Nothing has been announced by WWE and they may save said announcement for WWE Smackdown tonight on USA Network.

Early reports are that Wrestlemania 42 will be at Las Vegas again and will appear there regularly moving forward. Why? Apparently despite attendance being lower than Rumble 2025 and Wrestlemania 40, Wrestlemania 41 raked in serious cash thanks to price hikes of tickets and merchandise. Excuse me, price gouging and exploiting a larger WWE audience to those higher prices with their collectively higher demand. Prices were absurd, asking well over $200 for nose bleeds and up to $5,000 for floor seats. But don’t look now, SummerSlam 2025 in New York City is looking to gouge even harder.

New Orleans just can’t generate that much revenue as a city, as Vegas has way more income pumping into it.

I just wonder what New Orleans gets as a concession? Early indication is a future Money in the Bank for 2026 and a Wrestlemania further into the future.

But wait, if New Orleans cannot generate revenue today like other cities, what exactly will change in the future?

Keep in mind that WWE’s deal with the city of Indianapolis requires them to provide both a SummerSlam and Wrestlemania there as well.

And WWE has spoke with the Mayor of London about having Wrestlemania there someday.

Lots of promises… But who will write the biggest check?

However, to the cities that WWE denies or takes a Wrestlemania deal from (they burned Minneapolis to do Las Vegas for Wrestlemania 41, remember?), will they hold a grudge and begin to pull back on the red carpet rolled out to WWE? Probably not, as city officials are desperate for tax revenue in any form that pumps into their city from any event.

Plus, how long will WWE be able to price gouge and twist the arms of cities for greater deals? They have two serious issues right now… (1) Consumers are still hurting from years of inflation with depleted accounts and high debit to survive, which sets the stage for economic issues piling onto that from 2025 policies. However, (2), WWE can’t keep this momentum up forever… Their top stars are getting older, Roman Reigns isn’t as effective as a babyface versus being heel leader of the Bloodline, the Bloodline angle is no longer there, and I’m just not seeing who will eventually replace Rollins, Punk, Reigns, Cody, and other top stars from the developmental system. There’s just not a standout star from NXT, nor is there a recently promoted one that completely wows people. I like Bron Breakker, too, but is he a mega draw?

And when the WWE is in decline or if the economy recesses, what will WWE do when they cannot charge a high price to the bidding cities? And retribution may be coming back to the WWE with New Orleans, Minneapolis, and other big cities who have been denied major WWE events.

Of course, then WWE will take more Saudi money, as that bank vault always seem to be open…

My main question is that why did WWE give New Orleans another Wrestlemania after Wrestlemanias 40 and 41? WWE knows the city, as WWE was there for Wrestlemanias 30 and 34. WWE knows the demographics, local support, and the infrastructure to support this event. So why give them Wrestlemania and then change their mind? Why make a possible promise of returning to New Orleans in the future but not doing Wrestlemania there in 2026?

It’s almost as if WWE knows they may be declining AFTER 2026 and then they’ll grant a show to New Orleans… I’m sure some analytics guru is seeing data on how the top stars are aging and how it’s questionable if they can replace said aging stars with developmental stars who can draw.

Where I will agree with the pessimists is that announcing Wrestlemania in New Orleans and then taking it back looks CHEAP, especially if it’s a quick money grab to host it in New Orleans again. It’s a matter of burning bridges with a city and maybe wrestling fans who have made travel plans in advance. Now, they have to change those and start attempting to reserve hotels otherwise. Goodwill is a thing that you want to retain and not burn down, as loyal fans and loyal cities will be there for you as you decline.

I’ve said it before, but I really don’t like Royal Rumble 2026 going to Saudi Arabia and I’d say the same if/when Wrestlemania goes there too. WWE can already make $20-$30 million per “Crown Jewel” event there already, so why whore yourself out for more money to give the a Big 3 Pay Per View property that North American fans built? Wrestlemania, Rumble, and SummerSlam are brands that North American fans built and are still willing to support. Reward us here, as there are 9 other events or events to create out of thin air to have in other countries.

If WWE begins to pass around the Big 3 Pay Per Views (Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, and Summerslam) to foreign countries who DIDN’T build help build the WWE brand the way that the United States and Canada, then that’s a good time to take the off-ramp for WWE products. Only exception that I’d make would be United Kingdom fans, as I believe they are deserving of at least 1 Wrestlemania. Royal Rumble will cease to be a great event if it retains a residency with Saudi Arabia for the next few years.

NOW, let’s get to the other heart of the matter, the BS claims that “Triple H undermined The Rock by moving Wrestlemania 42 out of New Orleans”. After all, The Rock appeared on Smackdown from New Orleans to officially announce that Wrestlemania 42 would be held there in 2026. Everyone keeps going to the well for whatever supposed late 1990s “heat” that The Rock and Triple H may or may not have had… Seems like the Pro-Vince McMahon contingent and competitive AEW fans want to keep driving that Rock vs. Triple H wedge to adversely harm the WWE while many online wrestling websites, YouTubers, and/or grifters are stirring the pot to drive hits.

But the fact is that the Rock is a TKO Board Member and has many, many TKO shares. If Wrestlemania nets more revenue, he stands to directly benefit. Trust me, as a Board Member, he was in favor of moving it from New Orleans to possibly Las Vegas again because it’s easy money to him and the TKO Corporation.

Saw one of those online “wrestling” “fans” make the claim that Triple H undermined any move that the Rock has done since Wrestlemania 41 and I was like “huh”? From Wrestlemania 42 moving to New Orleans to Cody & Cena purposely sandbagging at Wrestlemania 41 to keeping Roman to Travis Scott’s goofy appearance undermining the Rock to the remainder out of the Bloodline being kept out of Night #2’s Wrestlemania… Yeah, those are the IDIOT conspiracy theories being thrown out there by the drive-by online “wrestling” “fans”.

ZERO evidence to back-up any of those claims of Triple H “undermining the Rock”. Those guys are old friends and very respectful of their positions.

Think about this… Reportedly, Rock wanted Cody Rhodes to turn heel at Wrestlemania and join the Rock. Triple H and Creative rejected that idea but presented John Cena turning heel instead. Instead of getting huffy and puffy about it, the Rock was a full participant in the angle during the Smackdown segment and then Elimination Chamber. If he wasn’t, he’d just pull himself from television. But he didn’t, as the Rock showed up and did the job.

I already presented in another recent column how busy the Rock’s movie schedule has been for 2024 and especially for 2025. Rock isn’t avoiding the WWE, but his film career has simply picked up following the actor’s strike. He has a lot of money riding on each film, along with insurance issues if he gets hurt wrestling during or before an acting gig.

But go ahead and waste your time on STUPID conspiracy theories rather than enjoying that the WWE has been great since late 2020 following a TERRIBLE decade during the 2010s.

Remember, Vince McMahon sold to Endeavor as the primary shareholder and he forced that sale himself. Furthermore, Vince has been selling out to many, many corporate interests for many years and they have affected his product. Comcast and other corporate sponsors forced the PG rating, while Mandy Rose lost her WWE job because the prudes at Mattel, WWE’s toy maker, wanted her out. Man, we had it so good when WWE was fearless in featuring their amazing female stars in the issues of Playboy back in the day…

Vince set the stage for TKO to do what they have been doing… Give me a break.

By the way, I can’t wait for Wrestlemania 51 brought to you by Carl’s Jr. in about 10 years…

WWE sold out to sponsors and the almighty dollar years ago. Problem is that YOU have liked their product for the past 4 years and that DEMAND increase has caused Vince and then TKO to exploit the larger fanbase in place.

Getting outraged at WWE using the Wrestlemania carrot to chase bigger piles of money means that you haven’t been paying attention.

When the inevitable decline of this current WWE product happens, as everything is cyclical because wrestlers get older and so do their younger fans, what will happen to the WWE who was trying to gouge its fans and cities out of more money? TKO will find it hard to convince Shareholders that they had to reduce prices to get traction, which means less revenue coming in than before… Then, WWE will began singing “I know someday, you’ll have a beautiful life and I know you’ll be a star in somebody else’s sky. But why, why, why can’t it be can’t it be mine?” and they’ll struggle to remain in the “Black” of their financials as all of the love gone bad would have turned the WWE’s world black and not the accounting term.

WWE’s bitter hands will cradle broken hands of what was everything, thanks to price gouging its loyal fans and pushing around loyal cities.

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On top of that, following Wrestlemania 40, there was an expectation that we’d see MORE of the Rock and then get either Rock vs. Roman Reigns (finally) at Wrestlemania 41 or maybe Cody Rhodes vs. Rock at Wrestlemania 41. Hell, maybe Rock vs. Cody at Rumble 2025 and then Rock vs. Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 41.

However, the Rock isn’t a full-time wrestler… He was available for Wrestlemania 40 because the Hollywood pipes were clogged following the Actor’s guild strike.

Furthermore, the Rock joined TKO as a board member for pure public relations reasons as well. Remember, the week after Royal Rumble 2024 had the bombshell details released from the lawsuit with Janel Grant against Vince McMahon. This forced Vince McMahon to RESIGN as TKO Board Chairman. An easy way to distract the public from legitimate corruption that happened in the WWE was to pay $30 million to the Rock to join the TKO Board and since he was available, to cause a distraction with WWE fans to FINALLY give them Rock vs. Roman Reigns. Of course, only WWE fans wanted to see Cody “finish his story”, so that forced a pivot but the Rock was still going to work Wrestlemania. The genius plan of the Rock/Roman vs. Cody/Seth tag match was hatched and the Rock was all-in with his new “Final Boss” character.

But remember, Rock was available because of the actor’s strike for Wrestlemania 40…

So what has the Rock been up to since Wrestlemania 40?

Moana 2 was a massive animated film released by Disney that came out during November 2024, as announced it was officially arriving to theaters during February 2024. Lots of voiceover work for Rock on that film, along with marketing and promoting the film. FURTHERMORE with this film, it is likely that Disney discouraged him from portraying a heel in the WWE which has likely thrown cold water on the character in my opinion.

Red One came out during November 2024 as well, but it was filmed through early 2023. Its release was delayed, likely due to the Hollywood strikes. Rock had to travel and promote that film as well.

LIVE-ACTION version of Moana began filming during July 2024 and wrapped through November 2024. This role had the Rock in costume, as well.

The Smashing Machine is biographical film about MMA fighter Mark Kerr and the Rock was all-in with this one physically and looking different for the camera. This was filmed between May and August 2024, so Dwayne was splitting time briefly between the live-action Moana and filming this, two very physically demanding roles for him.

Where Rock was for Wrestlemania 41 was in an untitled Martin Scorsese film being filmed in Hawaii. Sorry, but 100% of your attention needs to be given to Martin if you want to succeed in Hollywood.

Another Jumanji film and his full return to the Fast & The Furious series is also happening. Multiple other sequels have been announced.

Guys, the Rock has been BUSY… When he’s not filming, he’s promoting a previously shot film. That is what Dwayne Johnson does with his career full-time. Not pro wrestling.

All of this discussion of “does Triple H and the Rock hate each other?” is getting ridiculous. Fact is that Rock was brought on as a TKO Board member because (a) he was interested and (b) WWE needed massive Public Relations help. TKO can then use Rock, IF HE’S AVAILABLE, to help promote WWE or UFC events. One of the biggest celebrities in the world can be used as a chess piece to help promote events.

Rock and Triple H don’t hate each other, or else they wouldn’t have had many, many great matches from 1997 through 2000. Do you want to see HATE? Go watch Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton from Wrestlemania 41. Those two performers clearly disliked each other, but also didn’t TRUST each other. While Rock and HHH were likely competitive alpha males backstage, they 100% trusted each other inside the ring when wrestling. When you trust another human being with the health and safety of your own body and well-being, that goes a long way.

The Rock became an actor through 2000 when The Mummy Returns was filmed. Yet throughout the year 2000, the Rock wrestled HHH many, many times throughout 2000 and he was completely healthy to go film scenes for a movie. If Triple H was as vindictive as say Bret Hart wants you to believe, then why did the Rock escape injury throughout 2000 and then in later years during 2001 and 2002 when Rock wrestled HHH in various matches? If Rock hated HHH so much, then why was he constantly doing business with him?

Speaking of availability, where is Roman Reigns? Another Spring/Summer vacation planned? Since his return from his last Spring/Summer vacation of 2024 that ended through late August 2024, he has wrestled a total of SIX matches and 5 of which were at Pay Per Views. While I applaud Roman personally as being SMART for working less to earn millions, many plans are put on hold because of HIS availability, too. They were really stretching that “new” Bloodline storyline last year following Wrestlemania 41, for example. It was a long drip between debuting each member, and then a long time before they turned on Heyman.

But honestly, Roman’s career is NOT fulfilled until he defeats the Rock. Without that feather in his cap, his little babyface turn just feels without any purpose whatsoever. Because the Rock was UNAVAILABLE due to filming Hollywood movies, the Bloodline storyline has simply died. Roman has already vanquished the Solo Sikoa-led group and that lasted barely 4 months. Also, Roman just cannot gain any true ground as a babyface against CM Punk, who is also a babyface. The chemistry between those two is just off because the heel/face dynamics are needed between the two.

But Roman NEVER had that definitive moment that turned him babyface. Perfect moment would have been the WEEK AFTER when Paul Heyman was attacked at the MSG Smackdown, which happened during late June 2024. Yet, Roman waited at least 2 months to retaliate against the “new” Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa who attacked the Bloodline. 2 months! Should have been on the Smackdown immediately after that attack. But no, utter silence… Thus when Roman returned at SummerSlam 2024, it was less impactful because he showed ZERO empathy towards an attacked Paul Heyman.

But yet, the post Wrestlemania 40 Bloodline storyline was moving along and some changes were made to it because, once again, the Rock was unavailable. He couldn’t truly become the “Final Boss” of what Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and the Haku Brothers were doing because he was too busy with Hollywood stuff. Hence the pivot to making Solo a stronger boss of the revised group and hence Roman’s focus shifting towards feuding with Solo for the next 4 months. It just didn’t work…

Roman Reigns is NOT the same as a babyface lacking a purpose, versus a babyface who could have slayed The Rock at Wrestlemania 41. He’s lost and not as impactful, and now he’s on another Spring/Summer vacation DESPITE Paul Heyman turning on him. Instead of seeking revenge, he seeks a vacation.

The variables of The Rock and Roman Reigns are out of Triple H’s control. The Rock isn’t a full-time wrestler and is only available when he wants to participate. That’s fine… For Roman, even though he’s not as effective as a babyface, he’s still a top star and not a free agent you’d want to go elsewhere.

Which brings me to my point… Post Wrestlemania 41 world…

In my opinion, Triple H and his Creative Team have done a FINE JOB with the post-Wrestlemania stuff for 2025 versus 2024. RAW this week was great with Jey Uso vs. Seth Rollins, which was a great match and it was filled with different angles that can take the WWE several places. Since CM Punk is AVAILABLE, he can immediately feud with Seth Rollins and continue their heated feud but with much different storyline implications. While that is happening, Jey Uso will feud with Logan Paul… Well, you can’t win them all, but if Jey Uso is truly a great champion, then he could pull a great match out of Paul. Cody had some struggles with him last year.

On the flip side, John Cena vs. Randy Orton feels massive and legit. Cena thought he could skate for the rest of his dates as WWE Champion, but an old foe won’t let him.

I really liked what WWE did with Gunther attacking Pat McAfee. That killer instinct was lacking with Gunther. Yeah, he attacked Jimmy Uso, too, but that was totally expected and everyone saw that coming. But what made Brock Lesnar great was that he could snap and wreck everything like a bull in a china shop. THAT is what Gunther needs to do, rather than acting like a proper wrestler. He needs to show that he’s legitimately dangerous and his skillset merits that he truly is.

No Cody Rhodes, and I agree with him taking a vacation. He needs it, as he is totally over-exposed as a character and has worn WWE fans out. He was a better chaser than champion, and was beginning to bore fans being champion. Hence why WWE fans at Wrestlemania 41 heavily cheered for John Cena. Cody has been the product of favorable booking to play upon him exiting AEW as an EVP (which hurts them), being the son of Dusty Rhodes, and a redemption story based on his prior WWE career. Becoming champion at Wrestlemania 40 was his PEAK… I think WWE needs to continue keeping him off the road to freshen him up just a tad.

Just like that, WWE has snapped back into place following Wrestlemania 41 and they can do that with competent management, THANKS to Triple H, and as well-led roster also THANKS to Triple H.

That’s why I keep saying this supposed “wedge” between Rock and Triple H has been placed there by online AEW fans or Vince McMahon lovers who are jealous of Triple H’s successful tenure as WWE’s showrunner. AEW fans want what Triple H is achieving right now with WWE, but they cannot have it with Tony Khan and the Young Bucks as EVPs. Online Vince McMahon marks refuse to admit how BAD the 2010s WWE was, especially with the forced Roman babyface push of 2014-2019, and somehow want this horrible human being back in the WWE chair to micro-manage everything again. YOU WATCH, when Vince McMahon unveils his new wrestling promotion, these Vince marks will be praising it as the greatest thing ever.

WWE is doing just fine… They just had a wee bout of thinking they could rely on the Rock as a bigger character, but his own plans changed and thus WWE had to change their plans. Next time, though, get the Rock’s commitment to the WWE in writing rather than handshakes, mmmmkay? Because without the Rock, Roman Reigns is a lost puppy dog out there as a babyface and creating the false promise that the Rock MAY be at a particular show will hurt that show. Hence why the Travis Scott stuff looks really terrible because it was just the scrawny rapper instead of the Rock helping John Cena win the main event match of Wrestlemania.

But that’s OK, post Wrestlemania 41 WWE is pretty awesome right now WITHOUT the Rock and even without the vacationing Roman Reigns. AEW is still AEW, and Vince McMahon is still a publicly humiliated version of himself. We’re still good in the WWE, brother.

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And then I get COMPLETE MORONS online who are wanting Captain Micro-Manager Vince McMahon back, yet those same MORONS were calling for him to resign for much of the late 2010s and the early 2020s. He was “out of touch”, “senile”, and “micro-managing everything” as I recall. Then, you rejoiced when he left both times in 2022 and early 2024…

The FACT is that Wrestlemania 41 had initial plans to be centered around The Rock, and then brand new movie deals arrived for him to take him away from the event. They looked around for options, not wanting to do a THIRD Roman vs. Cody match, not wanting to do a babyface vs. babyface CM Punk vs. Cody match (Punk would get more cheers, for sure), and then they went with John Cena as a lesser popular babyface vs. babyface option. That didn’t work, so they flew in the Rock to turn John Cena heel. John Cena outworked Cody Rhodes and exposed what a propped up champion he was…

That’s the truth of the matter here, folks… Your real disappointment is that (a) Rock wasn’t there, (b) Roman Reigns isn’t as good of a babyface than he was as a heel, and (c) Cody is a better sympathetic chaser than champion. THAT is what you’re feeling, as there’s some legitimate truth that the WWE may have PEAKED at Wrestlemania 40 and none of the characters involved can re-create that magic. However, WWE tried to drag that same carcass through 2024 and through Wrestlemania 41.

But lucky for you, WWE had some big plans… Paul Heyman’s angle on Night #1 was beautifully done and will be remembered as a massive Wrestlemania moment as 2025-2026 unwinds. On RAW last night, Heyman is now managing not just Seth Rollins, but Bron Breakker too. Holy cow. And we’ll likely get a feud of Seth/Bron versus Punk/Roman? Sign me up! That looks pretty good to me…

John Cena is a LEGITIMATE World Champion and can get himself over WITHOUT having every booking break in the world. Cody Rhodes was gifted everything to look strong, but he looked week when all of the breaks weren’t granted to him. Look at last year when the AJ Styles and Logan Paul feuds lacked excitement. Then, look at this year when Cody looked weak and scripted against an intelligent and riveting promo cutter like John Cena. Cena DESTROYED him on the promos and validated that maybe Cody was a WWE Champion for too long… However, WWE course corrected at Wrestlemania 41 and now there’s a massive “sense of urgency” because Cena threatens to take the title home with him. And his long-time rival Randy Orton isn’t going to let him get away with that.

You see, things are OK here… Top stars are now in big positions to headline the next top shows. Isn’t that what we all want? And Bron Breakker is going to benefit HUGE by being put in a big storyline with top stars.

But then you have haters doing things like crapping on the Charlotte vs. Tiffany Stratton match. Huh? Tiffany WON the damn match, which is what all of you wanted, right? Yes, it was a bad match, but primarily because Charlotte was in a pissy mood and sandbagging the match. Trust me, WWE officials saw that and they are probably reconsidering everything Charlotte Flair-wise right now. While Triple H is loyal to Charlotte from her NXT days and loyal to Ric Flair, but the rest of the company isn’t. They want a unified locker room that is free of anyone who is toxic and Charlotte is definitely toxic. Regardless, WWE gave you what you wanted, and you’re still complaining.

Yeah, I’m honestly baffled by the Bayley scratch and then having Becky Lynch win the titles, and then drop them. BUT, WWE set Becky back up as a heel, which is where she should be in her career right now. If Bianca, Rhea, and even Jade are your big babyfaces moving forward, they need a big name heel to put them over. I can understand the Bayley love, but I’m OK with the quick storyline arc for Becky to get her launched. Besides, if Bayley was in that match, it wouldn’t have worked because it was slotted in the “death slot” before the Main Event. Thus, WWE actually did her a favor…

You fans need to relax…

Sure, the Bloodline angle didn’t end the way you hoped… But in my mind, Wrestlemania 40, in hindsight, appears to be the TRUE ENDING of the Bloodline. Roman Reigns lost the WWE Title, the Rock’s scheme as “Final Boss” failed with the “Bloodline Rules”, and then Roman returned as a babyface after his 4 freakin’ month long vacation. 4 months… You try to have a storyline that revolves around 1 group and 1 guy as Champion for 3 years, and then have NONE OF THAT for 4 months only for Roman to return as a babyface who gave ZERO reaction to Paul Heyman being attacked. And yeah, I’m still wondering what was in the note that Rock gave Cody… I guess it was an opportunity to “sell out”? I don’t know because it wasn’t linked to the Rock’s offer before Elimination Chamber.

Again, the WWE had to make the best out of a BAD situation… No Rock, so they created a revamped (a) John Cena heel character and (b) created a new Paul Heyman stable with Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins. Both of those sound GREAT to me.

Many of you place Wrestlemania on a pedestal. You gotta quit doing that… It’s not always a great show, and other WWE shows tend to surpass it with quality during the year. Again, watch any Wrestlemania from the 2010s or early 2020s… Not always the best shows and often had a random PPV/PLE or something like Rumble/SummerSlam surpass it. You have been SPOILED by the fact that Wrestlemania 39 and 40 were exceptional all-time great shows.

WWE did the best with what they had and overall, Wrestlemania 41 was a good show. If you hate it, that is on you… Not every show can be perfect. However, 60,000+ fans still showed up to watch was you considered had “bad hype”. Millions upon millions watched it on Peacock or Netflix despite what you considered as “bad hype”. All of us are talking about the show, like normal… Social media numbers are very high.

And guess what? You’re falling in love with WWE all over again because they lived up to the MASSIVE HYPE that RAW-after-Wrestlemania had!

Seriously, how many years have we heard complaints about how “BAD” the RAW-after-Wrestlemania was? Even last year… We just had the Rock and Cody segment, but not much of else according to YOU.

But again, we’ve been spoiled from decades of the WWE having big surprises on the RAW-after-Wrestlemania, like X-Pac returning and reforming DX, Brock Lesnar returning, Goldberg debuting, Vince trying to make Austin the corporate champ, etc. Many RAWs after Wrestlemanias haven’t lived up to the massive hype that you’ve put in place. Hell, even the ones that upset you, such as Brock Lesnar attacking Cody, turned out to be a good thing for the way Brock put Cody over during 2023.

Like Wrestlemania, you’ve placed the RAW-after-Wrestlemania on a pedestal…

The question all of you cynical WWE marks need to ask is this: Does WWE still make you happy?

Because if it upsets you in any way, shape, or form, then STOP WATCHING IT.

Otherwise, man-up and APPLY FOR A WWE JOB… Think that you can do a better job than the WWE Creative Team? Then apply today and show us how it is done.

Otherwise, keep sitting there in your computer chair, wiping off Doritos crumbs from your chest, and be miserable if the WWE doesn’t perfectly set up big shows the way you think they can.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to MANAGE actual people and then get them to execute tasks exactly how you want them done? Most of you haters have ZERO idea what it takes to do this, let alone in the frantic wrestling world with so many moving variables and a literal 24/7 work schedule. Most of you would CRY if you worked the WWE schedule, no doubt. Hence, understand the creative that you received. It’s from guys who are working with burned out co-workers and with burned out talent who are over it already.

My only critique of the WWE is to give their wrestlers more REST on Wrestlemania weekend. Sorry, but working all of these events, whether it’s televised, fan fests, or the late-at-night Hall of Fame ceremony, you’re tiring out your roster by making them appear here, there, and everywhere on this weekend. Fans will line up for the midcarders signing autographs, anyway, and will buy the merchandise anyway.

But damn, when I’m becoming the “voice of reason” around here…

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