Q&A QUESTIONS FOR SRS!

1 more!! I see Vice are adding a new series “The Wrestlers”. It will dominate the vibrant subculture associated with wrestling. Mexico, Congo, Bolivia. Wrestling all over the wordless with Drugs, Depression and absolutely destroying your body in the “Global Renaissance of Wrestling” ! Seen any previews? Is it the Global renaissance of wrestling SRS??

Aidan O'Connell

Has WWE ever expressed interest in Harry Smith? After watching the Holy Grail documentary and seeing Harry’s involvement, it got me to thinking if they’ve talked before. With as much as WWE cherishes second generation superstars, it seems it’d be a natural fit.

Brett Clendaniel

Do you think Rusev and Nakamura are two people who desperately need a Face Turn or am I by myself on this one?

Rob Wilkins

Any updates on Nakamura’s contract? Is he resigning?

Josh Wilburn

In this year alone, we’ve seen Ospreay put on a strong style slugfest against Ibushi; work from underneath against super heavyweights like Cobb, Archer, Fale, DBS; and now he’s putting on high quality matches in the best of the super juniors. Earlier in his careee, he built PROGRESS with deathmatches against Jimmy Havoc as both heel AND face; he’s worked as a tag team with everyone from paul robinson (swords of essex) to goddamned Hiroshi Tanahashi. He’s worked the Tokyo Dome, all across the UK, this year MSG. He helped built the Australian scene with matches against Robbie Eagles and he put on a banger in Spain for White Wolf Wrestling against A-kid Can we set aside his stupid Twittwr account and call Will Ospreay the best wrestler on the planet? At minimum, he’s reliably amazing in the ring, literally the most versatile, and completely willing to make his opponents look good. He’s basically next level AJ styles for the modern landscape If, as expected, he gets into the G1 and kills it, he’ll likely have a MOTY entries as both a jr and a hw. Who’s got a better resume than this guy?

Jonathan Ma

After seeing the new 24/7 belt last night I remembered around mania weekend there were rumors or new tag belts, any idea what happened to those?

Josh Wilburn

Any chance we see any Undertaker / Goldberg build up on raw these next 2 weeks?

Josh Wilburn

Do you think Bayley gets a lengthy run as champ?

Josh Wilburn

What match are you most looking forward too at double or nothing?

Josh Wilburn

If the whole Pac thing is legitimate who do you think will be Hangman’s opponent?

Josh Wilburn

Do you see Pete Dunne on the main roster this year? I think he could be in the main event and future world champion. Also what’s your opinion on NXT U.K? It’s became my favourite brand in WWE.

Robert Osgood

Given that they made sure to keep her off tv during her pregnancy while pushing childless divas as women have we likely seen the last of JoJo ring announcing?

Arturo Gonzalez III

If I see you at Double Or Nothing weekend, would you prefer a handshake or fist bump?

JOSE G FLORES

Quick one. Warren Hayes mentioned on the Raw Review there was an extra scene on WWE.COM where Mojo was talking to and then berating himself. Warren said that’s how they show Mental Health nowadays! Working in Mental Health, I’m a little uneasy with the whole Mojo thing. I’m thinking they might drop that and focus on wins in the ring. However any concerns- Paranoia, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder would be mocked by the powers that be in WWE?

Aidan O'Connell

Have you heard any updates on where either Tenille Dashwood or Joey Ryan might be signing? AEW seems like a likely fit for both, but could you see either one of them signing elsewhere?

Patrick S

This PAC thing has to be a work, right? And if its a work, that means Meltzer is being an instrument to sell the work, so he’s no longet a journalist. He’s a character on the show (Or this is a visa thing they dont want to admit)

Jonathan Ma

While their success on TNT is ultimately going to be the biggest factor for AEW's sustainability, are folks not talking enough about these overseas markets? TNA was more popular in the UK than America, it seems, and that didn't save them, but AEW seems to be going next level with their international efforts. They also have that AAA partnership.

Jonathan Ma

Beyond the UK market, AEW/WWE are also both going after the China market, and in completely different ways. WWE wants to scout athletes and import them to the PC and make them "superstars" - AEW partnered with CIMA and OWE, which already has, reportedly, dozens and dozens of martial arts talent thats been training under various japanese instructors (hell, CIMA is pretty good). SCU just went over and worked a show. Strong Hearts are going to be on Double or Nothing, and they've worked China already. Is WWE about to get lapped by AEW in a second international market?

Jonathan Ma

Why has WWE fumbled the ball so badly in the United Kingdom? Their latest TV deal landed them on a smaller channel thats more expensive to get. Meanwhile AEW landed on a channel that seems to have (from Wikipedia), more than triple the viewer base? tony Khan certainly has connections in the UK, but WWE had a massive head start and still came out behind to a company with zero track record. WWE has known their UK deal was coming up (obviously, its their own deal), and done nothing to fire up that market. Will Cooling, an industry analyst, was on Wrestlenomics talking about how WWE was gonna get hosed on their UK deal about a year (or more?) ago! WWE has loaded up on all these European stars, they took over ("partnered with") all the major european promotions, and STILL got bent over. That's got to be a red flag for investors, much less internet fans. How the hell do you have British Strong Style, WALTER, Toni Storm, and basically every european name not in NJPW and still fail so badly overseas?

Jonathan Ma

Apparently there are also reports of multiple dates in the UK announced (I think from the event Hangman/PAC occurred at). Do you think there are enough international markets to help them fill their TV schedule? Surely Warner is ok with a few tape-delayed shows if they're in a faraway time zone, right?

Jonathan Ma

With it's TV deal confirmed, AEW has to now find around 52 venues (fewer, if they hit the same market multiple times in a year) to hold televised events in. They also have to find, say, 6 venues for PPV vents (assuming they run every other month events). Is it fair to say thats their biggest challenge? Even with Warner covering production, they can't have empty arenas, and even WWE isn't filling up their venues. What size venues should AEW be looking at? 4-5K seaters?

Jonathan Ma

What do you make of the contrast between WWE and AEW's philosophies toward live event schedules? Despite their own financial reports declaring them a poor investment and declining revenue stream and injuries piling up on their roster, George Barrios recently said WWE would not reduce their live events. Meanwhile, Tony Khan, in an interview with Bleacher Report, said he is NOT looking at running many non-televised events (which i interpret to be touring dates beyond TV tapings)

Jonathan Ma

on second thought . . . why hasn't Brandon Thurston opened an agency for pro wrestlers? He's gotta be better than whoever is out there. If I'm a wrestler, my first move is hiring him as my business manager

Jonathan Ma

With the news that Killer Kross/Scarlett Bourdeaux want out of their Impact deals because they're underpaid - or worse, losing money . . . I have to ask: are these wrestlers even reading these contacts? Before you sign anything, shouldn't they be looking at the terms, doing a little math, and thinking . . . is this worth it? Do these people not have agents or business advisers? I mean, not everyone has Chris Harrington on staff, but AT LEAST shoot a DM toward Brandon Thurston.

Jonathan Ma

I think we need to all take a second and get your reaction to this Magic - Lakers bullshit that's gone down, in light of the latest interview on First Take. He said when Jeanie offered him the job, he told her "I've got four other businesses that i make way more money on - i'm gonna be in and out. Are you ok with that? She STILL HIRED HIM. I'd like for you and Jimmy to role play the conversation that took place if he offered you the Fightful job and you said, "Jimmy, I got indie shows to work bro, i make way more money off modeling hair supplies, so i'll be in and out. You cool with that?"

Jonathan Ma

Planning any live shows from Vegas?

Rob Wilkins

No Sheamus question this week, you can take a deep breath... what is protocol for the wrestlers to notify another wrestler they are hurt with no referee is in the ring. I mean it was probably confusing for Mandy Rose. I would assume the performer is throw up the “X” but not sure

Rob Wilkins

Podcasts: I have Fightful number 1 naturally. I have 45 podcasts Downloading in a week. i obviously select and listen to you in work, you guys as no 1. What podcasts do try to find the time for? I’d put Sunday Nights Main Event event without Jason Agnew at 2- I’d put Simon Miller(you might not know him) at 3 No 4 Solomonster sounds off. Top Guy. AND 5-Dinner with the king , Jerry Lawler and Glen Moore Give me 5 you rate highly. Hit me SRS

Aidan O'Connell

This is probably a stupid question, is it possible for Vince to be convinced or forced into selling his stake in the company, or at least enough where he no longer has the most power?

CWX5

(1) What the heck is the plan now with Brock winning men’s MITB? (2) Will we ever see Dolph Ziggler back in the WWE?

AEW keeps pushing the "sports centric" stats but that really misses the mark for me and I think it can hurt them long term. What do you think? For me, I ask would I care about the stats of a boxer who was only in fixed fights? No. Its impossible to put wrestling on par with MMA/boxing because the drama has to start outside and then can carry into the ring. Combat sports have built in drama in the ring because anything really can happen.

What would you say about people thinking the Pac and Page match being canceled is a work?

Reid Greenspan

Opinion on JT Dunn I feel he's a good talent and gets the job done on any given night.

I believe breakout star of the year is Pat Monix (Project Monix) really came to his own this year.

For months, it was reported that Sasha Banks was expected to return at, and win, Money in the Bank. Why has she not returned yet and are there plans for a return? Do you think Bayley winning it was to reward her for working through the disappointment of dropping the tag titles so quickly and to send a message to Sasha that there's a better way to handle things?

Brett Clendaniel

Apologies if this has already been covered. I'm behind on my reading and listening. But have you heard any talk about where AEW's tv show might air in Canada?

How genuinely concerned do you think WWE is about AEW? Do you realistically see AEW doing well enough to influence some type of change in the WWE WWE operates? If so, what do you think could change?

Brett Clendaniel

Been meaning to ask about this for a few weeks -- why...how is Cryme Tyme still unsigned? They were unceremoniously removed from WWE even though they were arguably the most over team at the time. They get crazy pops at every indie event they do and are still in amazing shape. Have you ever heard of WWE considering bringing them back to bolster the current tag team scene? If not, why do you think that?

Brett Clendaniel

I understand that AEW will have production costs covered. As far as total costs for production, do you know how this will compare to what WWE spends?

Reid Greenspan

Have you heard any updates on the Sasha Banks situation? Things have gone quiet for a while now.

Sydney Wilson

If you could bring back any of your original talent podcasts that helped launch fightful, which would it be? I vote Sugar Shane Helms.

I find it ironic that Jericho was trolling about Brock winning the MITB mocking him as "future of the biz" while he is co-main, if not main, of the Double-or-Nothing... Is this just a case of a contender mentioning #1 for pub or something else?

What hope is there for Sabrina Moana Marie Reiher Snuka Polamula. (Tamina) What can they do for Tamina. She has the strength. She had Jimmy Snuka as a dad!! She came in initially with the Usos. What about getting her on Total Divas so we know her and my two cents would be a face turn and good tag team with rapidly improved Dana Brooke, Don’t iaugh. SRS. Ideas?? Aidan

Aidan O'Connell

If WWE was going to have "the logo" like NBA's Jerry West, what would that logo be?