Fightful Select News, and ASK SRS QUESTIONS FOR Q&A

Is AJ'S accomplishment of being the ROH, NEW JAPAN, TNA/IMPACT and WWE champion anywhere close to Hogan's strangle hold on the Main event scene in WCW, WWE and TNA in three different decades?

Charles Harkins

Man, I know you have a shit ton of things going on doing the month, but is their any way you can recap a Stardom Event once every two months? Really want to here your recap on Joshi Wrestling above anyone else's.

Charles Harkins

If you had to pick, which two female stars do you see appearing on Takeover: Toronto and UK'S Takeover: Cardiff? My choices are Shazza Mckenzie, Jamie Hayter, Ivelisse, and Shotzi Blackheart. Would my choices be in your ballpark?

Charles Harkins

So, I watched the last two AEW events and in my opinion they didn't do what I wanted them to do: give me a reason to think I should watch their weekly show before NXT's in case the two are going head to head on Wednesdays. Do you understand my logic? And would you put any of those PPV's ahead any 2019 Takeovers?

Charles Harkins

Am I an asshole for wanting HHH's future regime to keep Pre-NXT guys not named D-Bry, New Day, and The Usos in their current roles... not being on Television?

Charles Harkins

What debut hairstyle impressed or bothered you upon first viewing: Jericho's short hair, Christian's Short Hair or Shawn's WM 19 hair? And what is your take on My faves Triple H and Edge initial hair trimming and eventual short hair?

Charles Harkins

Is there any reason why Shayna hasn’t been brought up to the main roster yet? Surely she would have been a better Summerslam opponent for Becky than Natalya.

Sydney Wilson

SRS Last one man.. Burnout amongst Podcasters.. Justin LeBar is taking time off after being a long term podcaster. Jerry Lawlor hasn’t put a show out in 2 months. He was near 100 Shows I’ve seen this before a number of other times.. Is there an issue? How do you feel? In many ways you are Fightful. You’re pulling 14 hour days right. I know you said you’d be happy to do Fightful for ever. I think all your fans would too. Let’s say you started to feel long term burnout. Would you take a break from Fightful??

Aidan O'Connell

SRS. Jobbers Do you think RAW and SD could benefit from 3/4 Jobber matches per show. I do. What about the build up of some Jobbers? Like don’t always use local enhancement, rather build up a small no Finally, James Ellsworth. I understand all the allegations have faded? I always say mud sticks.. Any chance back to WWE after say some time on the Indies??

Aidan O'Connell

The last two years we have had two really fun Brock matches at Survivor series with AJ and Bryan. Do you think Brock’s little interaction with Ricochet was to plant the seed for him to be in that spot this year?

How is one supposed to take a GTS/G2S to make it look good without getting one’s face caved in? Watched a few compilation videos and the “WWE style” by Hideo/punk is for the victim to land on both from the firemans carry toss and then the knee is thrown. Sometimes a hand is used to block the knee, but the impact is the top of the thigh, right? In NOAH, it appears Kenta throws the knee before the victim lands and it looks fucking viscious...but hard to time perfectly

Jonathan Ma

Also noticed they aren’t showing or mentioning Corbin doing his finisher to Becky, was that a planned thing and if it was why aren’t they showing or mentioning it?

SRS keep up the great work. Do you know or have you heard if the Rock will be on the Raw reunion in any capacity. Via satellite or in person?

Is WWE already dropping the ball with Bray Wyatt? I feel like the buildup has been too long.

Big V Wit Da Big D

How do you feel about Heyman saying that he has all the stroke on TV? It feels like its going to turn into another on screen authority figure.

Big V Wit Da Big D

SRS, do you know of a website that is best for learning the names of wants to learn the names of wrestling moves.

Rob Wilkins

How much credibility do you give to the websites that review wrestling that are mainly reviewing non wrestling sports? I mean places like ESPN and CBS Sports?

Reid Greenspan

Why does it seem like wwe commentators do not call names of most of the finishing moves? Seems like most of the time they just say the generic move, especially compared to a place like NJPW.

Reid Greenspan

Have you watched any of the series called "The Wrestlers" on Vice? It is a really good show. I know it is from last year. If you have seen it, what are your thoughts?

Reid Greenspan

Who would you put in the list for the top 5 talkers of the business today?

Reid Greenspan

If you had to have at a minimum a semi-final with couples of the WWE like mixed match challenge, who would you put in and win? Obviously, I would have Becky and Seth, Charlotte and Andrade, and Zelina and Black. Maybe the 4th could be Bianca Belair and Montez Ford or Mia Yim and Keith Lee, if you include NXT.

Reid Greenspan

What is your favorite location of where someone was billed from? Mine was Sid in WCW. I believe he was billed at one point as being from "Anywhere he damn well pleases.".

Reid Greenspan

I’m disappointed by what I have seen with AEW. I agree with a lot of Jonathan’s points. I’ll go further. The PPV was bad. The Pre Show was dire. They have to retire the librarian, Britt Baker is a disappointment. Sonny Kiss is a concern! The dark order. The Japanese ladies are very poor. Wasn’t the show far too long They need to rearrange the roster.. JR has had his time. I believe he has that role for sympathy from Cody.. Agree or disagree SRS

Aidan O'Connell

With Jericho and Moxley both heavily involved in the main event scene but heavily reliant on brawling/plunder, is the title picture going to be a bit too...Gimmicky? Other than Omega, who is a main event in ring worker? Should we be worried about this? the loss of PAC seems most felt here, as he is one of the few who can keep up without relying on smoke and mirrors

Jonathan Ma

Will The Rock be at Raw for the special reunion next Monday?

Who would be your dream commentary team that you could create from those currently in the role s? Contracts and companies don't matter, just who you think would work together the most effectively.

Graham Williams

I know PAC was in their original plans but is the Hangman page push is dangerously close to failure? Page is the babyface contender to be their first main title holder and thus far he’s been in: A bad battle royal full of jobbwrs A fatal four way in which two other dudes (jungle boy and mjf) outshined him A 20 min, no-heat singles match against (at best) a midcarder Can you really belt this guy? Should they belt Jericho, even with the potential backlash of him being “the old wwe guy”? Seems kinda like a rough choice and they have no more events before All Out to build this. Worse, it seems like a lock that MJF is interfering to cost Page, which means Jericho is going to win with help? Whats the play here?

Jonathan Ma

An AEW EVP literally smashed a throne to make a statement about challenging WWE...isnt it sorts sad and ironic that the worst aspects of AEW are total WWE tropes/leftovers? Jim ross, a relic. Marvez, the unnecessary extra dude in the booth Dumb babyface syndrome Heel authority figure (brandi) Terribly paced shows/matches (this is mostly jacksonville specific) Pushing lame acts that arent fun or funny (librarians, dark order)

Jonathan Ma

Three events in...and we have to be worried a out AEW’s womens division, right? The best performer has been Riho, the best performers are all the joshi, they just work faster, hit harder, and try more ambitious stuff. OTOH, the only singles matches have featured...Allie (TWICE?), brandi, and goddam leva bates. This is dangerously close to ROH WOH level talent misuse isnt it? Seems like they are pushing Baker bc she can handle the mic and has a nice story, but even in her japan trips she’s average at best and clearly behind nearly anyone she works with....and now we’re getting Brandi as a heel authority figure This might be crazy but maybe brandi shouldnt be wrestling and kenny should run the damn womens division. He seems to know talent

Jonathan Ma

What's the most painful move you've ever experienced in the ring wrestling? Back bodydrop?

Graham Williams

Lots of talk about NJPW attendance in DAL but heres two hypos: 1) same card, same marketing/announcement pattern, but the location is another similar size venue in say...Philly, chicago, california, or even Toronto. Does it still do 5k? Seems like theyd gain a couple thousand fans min 2). Same venue in DAL, same card, but the main event is announced in say, february, not June. How many more tickets sold? More or less than scenarion 1?

Jonathan Ma

Lanza point out that what makes ZSJ such a compelling grappler is that he isnt actually working like a real grappler. He mixes in some common stuff, like armbar/triangle/RNC with exotic stuff seemingly on the fly with smooth transitions to keep things interesting. Meanwhile, wrestling like a “shoot” can at times be boring Im not trained but i never thought of it this way. As someone who actually trained, is ZSJ actually working fundamentally sound with stuff that “could” work? some of his wacky subs actually have finished shoot fights, right? But the way he gets in and out of this really is nuts On the same vein would this apply to striking? I cant recall any wrester who works in a more conventional manner (i.e. establish jab, throw in combination with both hands, leg kicks to head kick)? We get some leg kicks but striking seems largely stylized

Jonathan Ma

Any Wrestling figures. I’ve started collecting.! Mattel seem awesome. I have a few other sources. What you got?? Any chance you collect other memorabilia. Can you get on Hawkins and Ryder’s Show or vice versa ?

Aidan O'Connell

From all of the former MMA guys who have transitioned to wrestling including Shamrock and Severn as well as more modern guys like Riddle and Lawlor, who do you think would fair the best against Brock in the octagon? Both in their prime.

Graham Williams

Jeff Cobb is signing with NJPW in January 2020, right? ROH is making the worst possible long recruitment pitch ever jobbing him to goddamn Matt taven and putting him in front of 400 people or whatever. Meanwhile Cobb is getting g1 matches in front of mostly sold out venues. He can take fale’s spot in bullet club

Jonathan Ma

You often talk about your annoyance with chinlocks not being sat out of and talk about the mechanics of moves such as Rousey's arm bar - would you ever consider filming quick clips to analyse such things?

Graham Williams

Asuka and Kairi haven't wrestled on TV in over 3 months. Your thoughts?

jason czech

What are your wrestling viewing habits Do you get a chance to watch much indie wrestling. You mentioned you watch about 20 hours, so I take it Raw and SD (Main event-No comment!) Impact? AEW?! ROH ! MLW? A little NJ Have you seen defiant wrestling or in Ireland, the impressive Over The Top-Wrestling ..

Aidan O'Connell

Who on the WWE roster besides Roman do you see having that mainstream crossover success ala Rock and Batista?

ItsWildBoy

How can we get Melissa back on the show pl??!! Would a petition from Patreon’s get her back. Is it a Jimmy Van or SRS thing?! ! What happens if we get to 500 Patreon’s.’Will you still fight each other ? !

Aidan O'Connell

Once Heyman and Bischoff are “fully” in control, what’s one thing, other than the wild card rule, you would like to see both change/ implement on their respective show?

Kevin Stemple

Do you think its a forsure shot that Hangman Page will be the first AEW champion or will they put it on Jericho to get more eyes on the product?

ItsWildBoy

You often talk on the podcasts about how match stipulations are often confusing - e.g. the differences between an extreme rules match, street fight, hardcore match, no holds barred, no DQ, etc. Have you ever approached a referee or agent/producer about clearing up some of the differences in an interview? Or is it simply a case of the rules will be whatever the company wants them to be for whatever reason i.e. one match name sounds cooler than another?

Graham Williams

Hi SRS, Sorry if this is to long! I'd like to start off by saying a huge thank you to yourself and Jimmy Van for taking the time to do these Q/AS. After listening to your review of impact slammversumy I went and watched the show for the first time and found it really enjoyable and easy to watch compared to some of WWE stop start ppvs Since the firefly funhouse clips have stopped airing a few weeks back there's been no bray Wyatt comeback yet, I just wondered why after the success they were having why things have cooled down. Just wondered what your thoughts were? I'm not sure if this is something you've done before or would it be possible to get like a video tour of your office / media room, of the pictures on your wall and various trophies, also an insight of you watching a wrestling / MMA show and how you notes and cross reference thing's as the show goes on?

Ellen C

If you could start a series of podcasts featuring former WWE, WCW, TNA/Impact, ECW and ROH stars similar to your old Russo podcasts, who do you think would be great guests to represent each company?

Graham Williams

With Matt Riddle facing Drew Gulak twice in recent months, do you think they will test the waters with him going to 205 Live at some point in the future or will being in NXT long term be the best way to go before moving to RAW or Smackdown?

Graham Williams

Vince Russo said on a podcast that he had contacted Shane regarding helping out with WWE creative and Shane was keen for this but Vince ultimately said no: do you think Vince's style of storyline over in ring action creative would fit with the current product? What positives/negatives do you think there would be if this would have happened?

Graham Williams

Other wrestling sites seem to be using fightful and sprecifically you more and more as an original source for breaking news stories and will often state that you are one the most reliable sources there is. As a result of this, how big of an impact do these links from other sites make in terms of fightful site traffic?

Ben Williams

How long do you predict Jim Ross will last on commentary? Have you heard of any internal concern about his performance? If not do you think anyone in AEW is slightly concerneded about his performances so far anyway?!

Ben Williams

What have you heard with regards to how happy both AEW and WWE are after FFTF went head to head with Evolve? Who do you think probably came off better?

Ben Williams

After stating that they are a WWE alternative and are aware of the things that turned away WWE fans, do you question their awareness when then have the same dumb babyface problem and the inclusion of "authority figure" Brandi wrestling and using Kong to tip the balance, not to mention the potential ofAweome Kong and Aja Kong being worthy of Undertaker v Goldberg?

Ben Williams

After her absence at Fight for the fallen, have you heard anything about Alicia Atouts AEW status?

Ben Williams

This may require a slightly long answer but If Vince decided to retire tomorrow on the condition you were in charge of building to next years wrestlemania and the event itself, what matches would you put on the card, including who the defending champions are and stipulations?

Ben Williams

What's up with Bray Wyatt?

Lonny Barker

KO is getting really over, is he next in line for the WWE Title?

Lonny Barker

Any word about changes coming now that Bishoff is taking over SD on Tuesday?

Lonny Barker

What have you heard backstage about why they put strap on Brock? Also is it possible he drops it at SS....

Lonny Barker

Any experience with Matt Holmes! Is it possible to work for him in WhatCulture lol. Does he know wrestling??I I’ve been told he’s a pr**k of the highest degree. BUT Hugely successful company, however there are multiple pages of burying this guy. How is he successful??

Aidan O'Connell