Dark Side of the Ring premiere

The highly-anticipated Dark Side of The Ring series returned to Vice TV last night for the premiere of its fourth season with an episode titled "Chris and Tammy," an edition of the show that focused on the often rocky relationship of Candido and Sytch. This was Dark Side's return to the air after a two-year hiatus and initial reports that the show wouldn't be renewed for another season. However, the show was eventually green lit for a fourth round of episodes, and between tonight's premiere and the third season finale, which examined the steroid scandal of the early-90s, the producers of the show were also involved with "Tales from The Territories," a lighter show that focused on the regional system. The round table discussion of legends from prior generations also had Dwayne Johnson as an executive producer.

Vice TV, the channel that broadcasts Dark Side, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and put the company assets up for sale to lenders so the future of the network seems to be up in the air. At least for now, it looks like the wrestling series will air as planned, but it definitely seems like this will be the final season of Dark Side of The Ring, and truth be told, it probably should be.

While the series is a fascinating concept, the obstacle is to walk the tight rope of such somber and often depressing topics. There's a very, very fine line between examination and exploitation. Dark Side of The Ring has found itself on both side of that line throughout its existence.

Sometimes there was too much of a reach for the "red meat" of a particular topic, or a concept that was overdone previously, but dragged back into the conversation to provide content for an episode. The editions of Brusier Brody, Brian Pillman, and Owen Hart were some of the subjects that were riveting for fans. At the same time, nobody was clamoring for a tired re-telling of Montreal, and exposé of XPW, or an over dramatic account of Collision in Korea.

As much  as I enjoyed watching the majority of the series, there were definitely times that the show looked for pure controversy rather than compelling content. On one hand, it's nice that some legends get the credit they deserve to a more main stream audience. On the other hand, it's trashy to attempt to exploit certain individuals to attempt to garner buzz or ratings.

That's why I honestly didn't know what to expect with the show's look at Chris Candido and Tammy Sytch. Candido, for all of the problems that he had at various points in his career, overcome those struggles and re-emerged onto the wrestling scene rejuvenated prior to his tragic passing in 2005. It's amazing to think of how much Candido accomplished and how extensive his career was when you take into account that he was only 34 at the time of his death after a blood clot following surgery to repair the broken ankle he suffered at the TNA Lockdown pay-per-view.

All things considered, with the constraints of 42 minutes of air time, The Dark Side presentation on Candido was fair and accurate. You can't necessarily get a complete picture of a lengthy career with only an hour time slot, a sacrifice that is made to get the episode onto cable television. In many ways, Candido defined the term "worker" in the industry. He took great bumps, everything he did in the ring was crisp, and it's difficult to find a subpar Candido match. Make no mistake about it, he had his problems outside of the ring, but inside the ropes, "No Gimmicks Needed" was as solid as anyone.

The episode of Dark Side reflected that with the majority of the show focused on his accomplishments, which definitely outshined his problems, and proof of that is how he had a comeback when he was healthy before he passed away. Watching Jim Cornette, Lance Storm, and Dr. Tom Prichard get emotional when discussing Candido's death was tough to watch, as it gave a sense of how well-thought of he was during his career. I actually had the chance to meet Chris Candido twice in 2004 just after he started his comeback run when he worked for Norm Connors' International Wrestling Cartel group before he signed with TNA. I was just 15 at the time and was thrilled to get the chance to met the former ECW star. Both times I met him, he was a really nice guy and it was so great to see him back on track and healthy for his return to the sport. In an ego-driven business like pro wrestling, grudges and real-life conflicts often made headlines, but you won't find many people that have too many negative things to say about Chris Candido, which is rare for the sports entertainment industry.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Tammy Sytch, who could've been known as a pioneer, but will instead have a "legacy" as a cautionary tale of everything to avoid with the fame of pro wrestling. Sadly, Sunny's life and career could be an entire season of Dark Side of The Ring. There's a difference between those with a substance problem and those that simply don't care about the consequences of their actions. Sytch had more DUI charges and legal problems than they would've had time to detail on an hour of television. Sunny's personal decisions that were destructive to her own life was one scenario, but her recklessness that killed someone when she was intoxicated behind the wheel was a completely different situation. Her comments in recent years on a variety of topics on Twitter, her infidelity during her relationship with Candido, and her lack of any consideration for the other people she put in danger the numerous times that she drove under the influence seemingly prove the type of person Tammy Sytch is outside of the Sunny character that she famously played on television in 1996.

Candido's peers shed tears when they reflected on his passing, which speaks to the volume of his character. It's very doubtful that anyone will shed a tear for Tammy Sytch, and they shouldn't.

The career of Roni Nicole

You've heard of the performer's gene, the trait held by those that are seemingly born to be in the spotlight, those that are natural entertainers for a paying audience.

"The Big Bang" Roni Nicole, a grappler that blends her cosmetic beauty with physical brutality for a unique presentation all her own inside the squared circle, was tailor-made for the stage. Regardless of if that stage is the canvas of the ring, the spring floor of the cheerleading circuit, or amongst the scenery of a theatre production,  Roni has spent the vast majority of her life under the spotlight.

"I believe my passion for performing and storytelling is what truly led me to pursue professional wrestling. It has always been a dream of mine to captivate audiences in a way that leaves them feeling something long after the performance has ended. Whether I am acting on stage or cutting a promo in the ring. I love the energy that is created when I'm weaving stories for the entertainment of others," Roni explained.

Before she learned the ropes to pummel opponents in spandex in the ring, Roni wore the tights for a more sophisticated venture, as she spent much of her youth studying at the prestigious Lehman Studios. She glided across the floor with lessons in classical ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance styles. In high school, Roni participated in the band programs, with an emphasis on color guard activities, studying under the well-known Karen Prince and Jennifer House during those years before she became an instructor herself. A true jack-of-all-trades, Nicole taught aspiring performers while she still competed in dance and cheerleading competitions.

"I love being on stage and as a plus size dancer, it is often important for me that representation shows dancers of all shapes and sizes who are expressing themselves in moving their bodies in creative and beautiful ways. I've always been a teacher or an instructor of some sort so becoming a choreographer just fit in with everything that I was already doing," she commented.

Her agility, pose, and natural presence transitioned seamlessly to the squared circle, as she always appreciated the mixture of the spectacle and the athleticism. For Roni, professional wrestling was another sport that she could apply her years of skills and training toward. Originally learning the ropes on her home turf of North Carolina, a region with its own extensive wrestling history, more than a decade ago, it wasn't long before her unique look and style were noticed by a much bigger scope.

When Roni was just 12 years old, she popped in a grainy VHS tape, those clunky bricks that used to be the standard media format of the era, and saw the stellar athletes of All Japan Women's, a revolutionary organization that brought an all-action, fast paced style that had an influence that is still seen in the sport today. Manami Toyota, regarded by many wrestling pundits as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all-time, and Kyoko Inoue were just two of the incredible athletes that she saw through the sketchy VCR footage. In one of the full-circle moments, the youngster that was memorized by the Japanese grapplers eventually became the international pro wrestler that shared the ring with them almost two decades later.

Originally offered a one-year contract with World Women Pro-Wrestling Diana, a group founded by Kyoko Inoue a few years earlier, Roni packed her bags to fly to the other side of the world in 2016 unaware that the initial one-year deal would lead to a four-year tenure in the country, which she cites as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

"It was so rewarding to be in a country and in a business that embraced all of my ability and helped me to excel at every opportunity. I love the crowds and how much love and acceptance I receive from them in such a short amount of time. Even though the language was one of the harder aspects,as well as, being away from home;I would never trade the numerous years that I spent there learning and honing my craft and building incredible relationships and having wonderful memories," Nicole explained.

In the entertainment business, the tag line "dreams come true" might sound cliche, but for "The Big Bang" she had the chance to stand side-by-side with idols like Aja Kong, and share poster space with some of the same women that she saw on that static VHS tape all those years earlier. Furthermore, she considers her time in Japan as a key part of the experience that shaped her entire career.

"I received extensive training from Karou Ito, Kyoko Inoue, Aono Kieko and Nanae Takahashi. It was an incredible experience and privilege that helped shape the remainder of my career for years to come," she explained.

The international exposure boosted her profile back in the United States as she zigged-zagged across several states upon her return to America with a comeback to Japan planned for the future.

"Roni Nicole is a true professional that excels in her craft, both inside the ring and behind the scenes. Roni is a force in the squared circle, only eclipsed by her charisma that garners the very emotion she wishes to invoke at that given time. Working with Roni behind the scenes was both a pleasure and an honor that I value deeply to this day, said Quinn Magnum, who is a former wrestler that became one of the longest-tenured organizers of the Pittsburgh scene during the course his more than 25-year career.

Similar to many within the sports entertainment business, the global pandemic of 2020 that shuttered most of the world, Roni Nicole saw her upward career trajectory halted. The stage productions she was a key part of saw the curtain down, wrestling venues sat dormant, and the vast majority of international travel was suspended indefinitely. Among the professional setbacks, personal tragedy stuck her as well when her mom passed away after an extensive illness.

Roni was personally shattered, and professionally all of her aspirations were under the bleak cloud of the pandemic. In what she considered a necessary therapeutic step in the healing process, she set out into the North Carolina forrest to a spot known as the "Respite in the Round" to pen the publication  RiverSong:Respite Reflections, a collection of poems that focuses on grief and how to endure it in the most healthy way possible.

"After the loss of my mother I needed a way to express all of the complex feelings of grief that I was going through at very dark and challenging time. While that challenged feels no less heavy now, I felt that getting out the parts that needed to be on paper would be helpful to me and hopefully helpful to someone else. Grief is a different experience for each person but it is a universally understood emotion. Writing this book was my way of sharing the love and reverence that I have for my mother with the world and honoring her life. Hopefully this book ends up providing those who are grieving with some sort of peace, I'm finding it can be found in those quiet moments of acceptance of the loss of the one you love," she explained.

After the book's publication earlier this year, Roni emerged from the process more laser-focused than ever before, and among all of her accomplishments, recently added another college degree to her resume. As fans can see during the vlogs on her Youtube channel, Nicole sets her goals high with an importance on how her efforts can impact others, the same way those Joshi grapplers had such a profound impact on the direction of her life during her youth.

"I'm presently enjoying being booked and busy. Performing, wrestling, protesting, working, advocating and changing the world," she concluded.

Double or Nothing review

Among the success of the ticket sales of Wembley Stadium, and the revolving door of controversy that is CM Punk, All Elite Wrestling had its Double Or Nothing pay-per-view on the calendar. An event that sold out previously because of the traveling crowds, this particular show still had tickets available, but as I wrote last week, that has more to do with the economy, inflation, and the fact that fans are only going to travel to a specific show once or twice before they've had that experience so it becomes much easier (and more affordable) to order the pay-per-view from their couch. Still, this was a pivotal broadcast for the organization because it set the tone and the direction of the product for the next few months that will lead to the previously mentioned stadium show in England. Plus, the foundation of a solid product must be cemented if Tony Khan expects the audience to devote another two hours of their schedule, particular on a Saturday night to more AEW content.

That being said, this event showcased some of the positives and the negatives of the product so it was somewhat of a mixed bag. The aspects of the programming that will garner the most spotlight going forward remains to be seen, but it creates intrigue ahead of the launch of Collision.

The show opened with the battle royal for the International title, and I get that it was a way to put Orange Cassidy over with the victory, it was still a rather illogical way to defend the championship. I've talked about it often with pay-per-view reviews, in the modern era it's much more difficult to sell traditional PPV with the bulk pricing often used on streaming platforms. This broadcast had a price tag of $50, and I honestly don't think a 25-minute battle royal segment was the most effective use of that time frame, especially to maximize the chance that the audience will get their money's worth. That being said, the upside of Cassidy as champion, regardless of his critics, is that he continues to get consistent weekly exposure on television, which is why the belt is more established than some of the other titles on the show that are often nothing more than a prop so hopefully Tony Khan can apply that level of consistency across the board.

I can understand why Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho was put in the early portion of the card since it was another no DQ match, but instead of the task of shuffling hardcore matches throughout the line-up, I'd suggest that Tony simply book less of them. To say this card as a whole was overbooked is a total understatement. The run-ins, interference, and gimmicks matches  during multiple segments got repetitive. It also created a tedious viewing experience because you knew you weren't getting to the finish until the run-ins in rather predictable scenarios. Plus, by the end of the night, the run-in during the main event that should've had the most impact was cannon fodder since it was seen several times before that during the broadcast. The early brawl was sloppy, and Sabu doing a dive through the table almost looked like a disaster. Don't get me wrong, Sabu is an absolute legend and he never got the credit he deserves, but at his age with the lengthy history of serious injuries, he looked almost fragile trying to jump off the ropes. Plus, outside of Tony Khan being a huge ECW fan, I'm not sure Sabu's minimal involvement added anything to the match, other than it added to the overbooking of the show. However, if it got Sabu a payday then I'm all for it. Huzzah.

As for the match itself, I have to be honest, I expected a better bout from these two. There wasn't anything wrong with it and it wasn't subpar, but it never seemed to get into second gear. There was a rather clunky pace at times so there were some flat points, which was probably an indication that the segment went too long. The Saraya run-in looked to be mistimed as Britt Baker seemed like she was waiting for her arrival after she hit Jericho with the kendo stick. The Baker run-in made sense, but unless there will be more done with Baker/Saraya after this, I'm not sure why the former Paige was involved in the segment. There was a very scary botch on an attempted lionsault from Jericho and it looked like he almost landed on his head. The finish of the contest was very, very flat with the referee stoppage since the ref technically doesn't have the authority to end the bout in an unsanctioned match. All things considered, I'm not sure why these two didn't have a traditional match with a clean finish since the win probably didn't do much for Cole's stock in AEW.

As much as I can appreciate Jeff Jarrett landing another job with a national promotion at 55 and that amazingly, he can still go in the ring, the entire storyline was so convoluted that it actually hindered everyone involved. After the tragic passing on his brother, Mark Briscoe had the opportunity to genuinely become one of the most beloved baby faces of the modern era and has the skills in the ring to make the most of it. Mark's chase for success to honor his brother's legacy is a story that writes itself and would sincerely be one of the good moments in the sport. Instead, Mark is a secondary figure in a secondary angle that had attempts at comedy that fell flat instead of authentic heat. Speaking of authentic heat, Double J is one of the very few that can still generate that level of animosity in the modern era from the audience, especially the AEW fan base. A comedy skit on the farm isn't the best way to utilize what Double J brings to the table, and the same could be said for Jay Lethal, who is a tremendous athlete that rarely has the chance to show what he can do in the company. It goes without saying that FTR should be put in better situations to showcase that they are probably still the best tag team in the business. None of that can be accomplished with this angle because it seems like it was booked more to get an many people on the show as possible than anything else. There's really not a better role for Mark Briscoe than a special guest referee? In a similar fashion to the other matches so far, this tag title match was fine, but nothing spectacular. Of course, it had interference before FTR retained the championship. Hopefully, everyone involved in this storyline goes in a different direction after this because whatever Tony wanted to accomplish from this angle probably missed the mark.

Speaking of matches that were fine, the TNT title contest wasn't subpar, but outside of a few dangerous ladder bumps, for whatever reason, this bout didn't gel the way I thought it would with such a ring general like Christian involved. The former world champion, despite being in the latter stages of his career, is one of the most solid performers of his generation and still one of the best heels in the business. The turtleneck attire for a ladder match was brilliant. This will sound like a broken record, but on a show with too many gimmicks and too many run-ins, this segment had too many gimmicks and too many run-ins. Luchasauras, who decided to stand at ringside before getting involved, despite no DQ in a ladder match, looked rather foolish just waiting for his spot. Arn Anderson "biting" his thumb with the fake blood was lame and phony. Double A is a total legend, but the visual of him falling over in the ring and then looking like he had red food coloring all over his face was silly. The Wardlow swanton through the tables was an impressive moment, but it came across like an attempt to try to recreate the iconic Jeff Hardy dive at Wrestlemania 16 than something that was needed in this contest. Wardlow retained, but this segment was really a mixed bag.

It was reported that Jamie Hayter was injured prior to the pay-per-view and the title switch suggested that to be accurate, but it wasn't as though they did a quick finish just to get the belt off of her so she could take time to heal from the injury. They did enough in the match to make her look completely noncompetitive without the storyline that she went into the match with a shoulder injury. Toni Storm is a very talented performer so she will do well with another reign as AEW Women's champion, but the way this was booked was an odd choice.

On a card that "just okay" became a common theme, the Trios title match was in that category. Truthfully, with The Acclaim's reduced role on television, this seemed more like a Dynamite match than a PPV bout, given that there wasn't any build up since it was an open challenge. The House of Black Rules are too convoluted, and fans shouldn't need a score card to keep track of the stipulations. The House of Black retained.

The TBS title match between Jade Cargill and Taya Valkyrie was okay, but nothing too spectacular or memorable. As much as Jade looks like and presents herself like a star, her in-ring work is stagnant. You're more or less going to see the same type of Jade match now that you did at the start of her undefeated streak. Perhaps, the booking of the matches are protecting her too much and she already has the ability to add another dimension to her in-ring work, but hasn't got a chance to show it yet. On the other hand, maybe she hasn't had a chance to get the experience to add the finer point of in-ring technique, but either way, she's going to have to progress beyond the typical 7-minute match if she's going to realize the potential that it seems like she has to be a star. As far as Taya, there wasn't really a point in the match where it seemed like it was believable that she was going to end the streak, and despite her solid skills, I wouldn't be surprised if she gets lost in the shuffle after this feud. That being said, getting the title off of Jade with the surprise return of Kris Statlander was the right call because it was done in a way that didn't hinder Jade and avoids the usual pitfalls of an undefeated steak without a destination.

The AEW World Championship match had a lot of good action and showcased how much young talent, as well as they amount of potential they have, are on the roster. That said, there wasn't a point in the nearly 30-minute contest where it looked remotely believable that anyone was going to dethrone MJF for the title. There are good work rate matches on Dynamite on a regular basis, but the premise or selling point of a title match is typically if the title will change hands. I guess it really depends on what you look for in a main event, as I was impressed with the fast-paced action, but when the result is obvious, the drama that builds toward a memorable conclusion in a title match wasn't possible. Another point that I mentioned in an article last week, when you try to get everyone over, nobody truly gets over, and as entertaining as the action was throughout this bout, I'm not sure any of the challengers are bigger stars after being in this spot since there wasn't a focus on the individual competitors. MJF retains and it will be interesting to see who challenges him for the title next because if it's Adam Cole, the earlier contest didn't exactly make him look like a threat to the championship.

The Anarchy in The Arena match was more or less what you'd expect with the wild brawl throughout the building. In truth, all the gimmicks and run-ins should've been saved for this segment. It was entertaining for what it was since it's a rather simple presentation. I'm not sure who the Violent Idols are, but I'd suggest that they pursue any profession other than music, as their rendition of "Wild Thing" wasn't exactly stellar. I really hope that Konosuke Takeshita's involvement to help The Blackpool Combat Club get the win will lead to a better spot for him. Takeshita is a tremendous talent that made a made impression with the audience during his debut several months ago and then he was lost in the shuffle. Takeshita has the potential to be a main event talent and if this finish helps push him to that level then it was a wise decision.

The biggest takeaways from this show are that it exposed some of the biggest flaws in the product. Tony's E-fed style booking with the over saturation of gimmick matches and run-ins created a tedious viewing experience for a portion of the event. When there are solid narratives during matches, it provides much more substance than the artificial sizzle of a myriad of stipulations. This wasn't a flop, as there wasn't anything blatantly terrible or subpar on the pay-per-view, there just wasn't anything stellar either. Hopefully, from a booking perspective, this was a learning experience for Tony Khan, as no promotion has a perfect battling average, and there's undoubtedly stellar talent on the roster, but this missed the mark of a pay-per-view.

What's the status of Impact?

Impact Wrestling has a major opportunity within the landscape of the industry.

At a time when the crowded wrestling landscape of the modern era will get even more jam-packed with the addition of All Elite Wrestling's two-hour Saturday night show that launches in just a few weeks, the commitment it will take to follow one of the contemporary organizations will theoretically double. Don't get me wrong, there are more options and alternatives for fans now than any other time in history, because despite a shrinking audience across the board during the pandemic era, the advancements of technology allow for any demographic of fan to find something they enjoy that will fit into their schedule. Keep in mind, there are countless streaming, television, and podcast options now, with each entity trying to draw viewers or listeners to their platform.

As sports entertainment rebounds from the pandemic, the television numbers aren't on an upswing that would suggest the demand for more content, which isn't a knock against the quality, but rather an indication of the amount of competition that is there for viewers. There are only so many hours in the day and even less of those hours can be dedicated to leisure time, with an even smaller potion of that being allotted for pro wrestling content.

I've written in a few articles recently about the pitfalls of the addition of another two hours on the AEW line-up, as it will technically require that viewers dedicate two hours of a Saturday night to follow the product. I detailed the micro-level of the booking hurdles that another prime time show creates, as well as the obstacles of selling twice the amount of tickets for live events for the company's tours. On the macro-level of the equation, there's always a point of over saturation, which is what the entertainment business saw with a flood of streaming options when countless media entities wanted a piece of the pie. As with anything else, the market will determine what platforms flourish and what ones didn't make the cut with the competition for the streaming dollar.

If All Elite Wrestling hits its over saturation point with the addition of Collision to its schedule remains to be seen.

Where this involves Impact Wrestling, the group that Anthem Entertainment, parent company of The Fight Network, rescued from the brink of collapses several years ago, is there's an opening for them to be an alternative product without the weekly viewing experience that seems more like a chore than an entertainment option. As much as some contrarian fans might not want to admit it, the WWE is the leader of the industry and the tide turns based on the moves the publicly-traded corporation makes in the business, an aspect that was magnified after the Endeavor merger. With that amount of cash and media muscle behind it, the concept of competition for WWE is almost moot. The WWE will represent, at least to the general public, the typical example of pro wrestling in the United States. With that, diehard fans will at least keep an eye on the direction of the McMahon product, again because of the ripple effect the company has on the rest of the industry.

At the same time, when there's a standard, there will always be a demand for an alternative. The launch of All Elite Wrestling was based on the demand for that variety within the sport. The novelty of a new organization naturally wore off after the first few years and the substance of the promotion has yielded mixed results. That's not to say that the Khan-owned league hasn't found success, as the fact that Warner-Discovery offered them a prime time slot is proof that even with some of the valid criticisms, Tony did something right. On the flip side, as I wrote recently, the concern is that Collision could over saturate the audience, similar to the way that Thunder did for WCW, and could actually hinder the company on a long-term basis.

For Impact Wrestling, a group that was understandably tailored to a Canadian audience, which is why Anthem bought the organization since it did great numbers north of the boarder, there's an opportunity to offer fans the alternative they're looking for with just one show a week. Trying to keep up with the storylines or the angles doesn't have to seem like a homework assignment for wrestling fans, which is sometimes the case for AEW, especially with the references that are often too inside baseball for most viewers.

Adding Impact Wrestling to your wrestling schedule doesn't take a considerable amount of commitment on a weekly basis, and ironically, when the product is given a chance to be seen, it checks all the boxes of a solid wrestling show. Granted, Anthem bought AXS to give Impact a television home in the United States, but that still has relatively low clearance compared to USA or TNT.

That being said, this weekend's Under Siege, which almost got lost in the shuffle of Night of Champions and Double or Nothing, was an example of the quality the company can bring to the table if given the chance from viewers. A match-by-match breakdown, especially on such a full weekend of shows, would be moot. Quite simply, Trinity and Gisele Shaw had a solid women's bout, Chris Sabin and Trey Miguel was a quality X-Division match, and Steve Maclin vs. PCO was an entertaining brawl for the main event with a great post-match angle with the attack on Scott D'Amore. There are very few performers in the sport that can work the heel role as effective as Bully Ray.

There wasn't a subpar match on the card, and Impact could be that alternative to WWE that so many fans look for without the unrealistic commitment to almost half a dozen hours of programming to keep up with to stay fully informed on the product. Impact arguably offers more variety on its shows than another other group in the United States and it only requires two hours a week to get all of the content. If Impact can garner more consistent viewership to the shows with its limited clearance might be a difficult hurdle, but it seems like there's an opportunity within the current dynamics of the industry for the company to take its cache in the business to the next level within the landscape of the industry.

Night of Champions review

WWE kicked off a packed pro wrestling weekend that coincides with the memorial day holiday with the latest Saudi Arabia event, Night of Champions. It goes without saying that these Saudi shows will always have a sleazy factor to them, but money talks, an aspect of the industry that became even more apparent after the Endeavor merger. At the same time, while the WWE is a corporate entity that is just there for the cash, and the Saudi government is just there to use these events as propaganda material, underneath that some unintentional progress is made on a more individual level. As we know, the treatment of women in the country was often a topic of criticism, but at the very least, the female stars of WWE are not only getting the chance to perform in the country, but also the opportunity to showcase the stars that they are. If that leads to any real progress in the country is a completely different matter, but if nothing else, the female stars are making top money for the Saudi events. Another very interesting aspect, is that Sami Zayn, who previously wasn’t permitted in the country because of his heritage, was a part of one of the main event matches. Again, if this leads to any real change in Saudi Arabia is a different discussion, but the very least Sami Zayn's appearance at the event is an example that differences can be put aside. Forgive me for getting on a soapbox, but we’re all human and it would be nice if for only the three hours of a wrestling show that difference can be put aside for entertainment.

As far as the actual show, it kicked off with AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins for the consolation prize championship. I don't want to be so negative on a contest that involves two of the best athletes of their respective generations, but when the entire premise of the title is that it was created because nobody could beat Roman reigns, which is exactly what Triple H said in the promo that introduced the championship, it’s literally a secondary belt. I have to be honest, I’m extremely puzzled as to why this concept was even booked, especially because if you examine it, even on a surface level, the benefits are more or less zero. As mentioned, the winner of the championship is quite literally the secondary world champion and at the same time, it actually takes away from Roman Reigns' extensive title run because now he’s not the only world champion on the roster. On a macro level, it’s completely counterproductive because it wasn’t until Roman's lengthy title run that the championships regained some level of prestige. Prior to that, for a major portion of the modern era, the belt was just used as a prop instead of a career-defining achievement. Jack Swagger has done well with a hat on Dynamite, but his stint as world champion isn't exactly memorable. Despite the years wasted on the baby face super push that ultimately flopped, Roman Reigns is the top guy with all the tools to be the top star. Proof of that is that he has done such a stellar job in the role of world champion  and his matches carry a level of intrinsic importance. However, and this is the biggest problem, the prestige for the championship that was established during his run is naturally diluted with the addition of another world title.

The match itself was more or less what you would expect with Seth and AJ in the ring. It was solid and everything was crisp. It was quality wrestling and proved why these two have the status that they’ve achieved. The brain buster on the apron was insane. Granted, Seth’s character, whatever it’s supposed to be, is silly and does nothing to help his career, but as an athlete, he delivers in these marquee matches. As I said, the nature of his character and the premise of the championship itself are secondary so I don’t think Seth's reign is actually going to establish the championship, but he’s a quality worker, and at the very least, the consolation prize title could use that.

Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch was a decent match, there wasn’t anything wrong with it, but I have to be honest all things considered, I was expecting a better contest. That’s not meant as a knock against either competitor, but given their accolades and reputation, I expected this to be a stand out contest on the card. Instead, it was more or was just the average match that was mostly forgettable by the time the show went off the air. For whatever reason, it didn’t seem to get into second gear. That being said, I think these two have a lot more they can do with this feud so hopefully this was just a prelude to lead to a bigger and hopefully better match. Given the finish with the interference from Zoey Stark, it seems like a safe, bet that the conclusion was a way for the storyline to continue with Becky chasing the victory at Summer Slam.

I was surprised that Mustafa Ali won the battle royal to get a shot at the Intercontinental championship, particularly because he is often used in a lower tier spot. Perhaps, Ali was given the spot because of his background, and he got a nice reaction from the stadium crowd. Gunther looked like an absolute monster in this match, and Ali took some great bumps to make him look like a million dollars. This wasn’t a squash, as Ali got a few hope spots with a very impressive 450 splash, but at the same time, it was a definitive victory for Gunther to retain the title.  Speaking of which, Gunther is such a solid worker and arguably the most believable competitor on the roster that in my honest opinion, he should be the one to break the Honky Tonk Man’s IC title record. Gunther has a level of authenticity that very few bring to the table and he's undoubtedly one of the best workers in the company. Since he has such solid skills and works very well in the role, he brought a level of credibility to the IC title that hasn't existed for several years. I don’t think it would be far-fetched for him to be as a future world champion, but the office might think that he’s not flashy enough for it. Either way, Gunther is money and this was a very impressive showcase match for him.

The Raw Women’s title match was a rematch from Wrestlemania and that’s fine because this was another solid contest from these two, but at the same time, this feud has definitely run its course so it would be better for both competitors to move on to other angles. Since Bianca was on such an extended title reign, I would've thought that until there was a new competitor that has the potential to become a star that she would've kept the championship. In some ways, it’s similar to when Charlotte dropped the title to Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania. There was a certain amount of cache involved with Bianca's title reign so to maximize the return on that, it would've helped establish a new name on the show if the office waited  until there was someone on the horizon with that type of potential. That being said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Asuka winning the title in Saudi Arabia. It goes without saying, but I’m going to mention it anyway, Asuka is truly one of the MVPs of the company and she has really cemented her legacy on the main stage of WWE in the past few years. Her level of consistency and quality are aspects of her career that will get her the recognition of a legend after she retires.

The SmackDown Women’s title match wasn't much of a match so it was booked as more or less a placeholder on the card than anything else. Rhea Ripley has a huge upside and the potential to draw serious money as possibly the top female star in the company in the future, especially given her relatively young age and the level that she has already achieved. At just 27, the argument could be made that her best years are still ahead of her. Obviously, Ripley drop the title any time soon, but the problem with booking Natalya in rather last-minute fashion didn't lend itself to her credibility as a challenger. Since the result was obvious, this contest was basically used to pace the card.

Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes followed the usual Lesnar format of a fireworks bout in under 10 minutes, which is completely fine. If anything, the only thing that took away from this contest is that we just saw a more physical bout three weeks ago so this match didn't stand out as much as it would've otherwise. The use of the cast was very well done, and Brock's selling really adds another layer to his matches. The broken arm angle gave Cody a reason to lose and thus ties up the series for a trilogy so the defeat doesn't really hinder his progress on Raw. The whole "he didn't tap out" spot was a little forced because the audience has seen that angle before, but this portion of the feud allows for the narrative to continue to a bigger stage, which will probably be Summer Slam. If the angle pays off to put Cody in a better position than he was after the disappointing Wrestlemania defeat remains to be seen.

The main event tag match was fine, but the storyline of the match took priority, as it should've. Solo took the pin so it keeps Roman strong as champion, and The Bloodline faction dissolving creates a lot of possibilities for everyone involved. Most importantly, it appears that either of The Usos could be the next challenger for Reigns, which will give him the fresh opponents that he needs for the championship. As I said before, I think Cody should've been the one to dethrone Roman and Wrestlemania was the time to do it, but if the office wasn't going to have him win it at WM then it makes sense to give Reign's a title run that will surpass Hulk's record. Don't get me wrong, Roman still does well in the role of champion, but he worked with more or less every credible challenger for the belt, which runs its course a lot faster in the modern era than it did in a prior generation because of the nature of weekly TV. That being said, the angle at the conclusion of the Saudi show gives Reigns a few new challengers for the championship so it was mission accomplished.

AEW ticket sales

Ahead of this weekend's packed list of events, including WWE's Saudi Arabia event tomorrow afternoon with Night of Champions, and AEW's Double or Nothing, there's certainly much to discuss about how the landscape of the industry will shape up over the next few months. Earlier this week, I penned an article about the remaining hurdles that had to be cleared with the CM Punk situation, which looked to be resolved after Tony Khan announced The United Center in Chicago for the debut of Collision next month, and how it could affect the numbers for a Saturday night show that will undoubtedly face tough competition most weeks.

Aside from if the show will draw a rating, with the announcement of presumably Punk's involvement, the other big piece of the puzzle is, will Collision draw a crowd?

Obviously, the company is set to do big business in the UK with ticket sales for Wembley Stadium over 60,000 so far, but domestically, sales have been somewhat sluggish, particularly for the upcoming Collision tapings that are scheduled for the All Elite debut in Canada. In fact, even this weekend's Double or Nothing pay-per-view, an event that sold out previously in Las Vegas, still has tickets available.

Does that mean that AEW is in jeopardy? Absolutely not, but it does create new obstacles for the organization, and the most important part of that equation is how the company navigates those hurdles. For example, how Tony Khan chose to handle or in some ways, not handle the All Out drama from last year probably wasn't the best course of action for the promotion in retrospect. While the perception of the organization and more specifically the notion that Tony wanted a vanity project took a dent, if the company can get back on track with its major success in Europe then the backstage fights can be chalked up to the sometimes rocky roads of the wrestling business.

In a similar fashion, how All Elite books and promotes this Collision show will determine if the group has the ability to expand or if it will settle into a niche product. Right now, more often than not, too much of the product is geared toward the niche of what Khan wants to see in terms of the " dream matches" for the demographic, but as the programming evolves, there's a chance for there to be more content to draw in a wider audience.

Still, I honestly don't think there's a demand for more AEW programming so at least at this point, I don't see how the prospects of another two-hour show, especially when Dynamite still doesn't have a concrete format, would benefit the organization. That being said, the Saturday show is on the schedule so the topic of conversation shifts to what the logistics and possibilities are for what Collision can bring to the table.

Before we parse any detail on the current ticket sales for All Elite, it's important to note that there will naturally be diminishing returns for any product after the initial novelty declines or after its debut in a new market. The prime example being Wembley, it's the first time that AEW has a show scheduled for England so the majority of fans that want to see an AEW show in their home country will finally get the chance to see an event in person. Keep in mind, All Elite launched in 2019 so there's technically four years of built up demand to see the product live, which is why Wembley has sold well. If All Elite brought a show to England or anywhere else 4-5 times a year, it intrinsically doesn't have that "must see" atmosphere to it.

More than anything, I think that's why Double or Nothing hasn't had quite the same demand that generated a sell out previously. Remember, Double or Nothing was initially a travel crowd and that might still be the case, but after a few years of those events, some fans just aren't going to continue to pay the hefty costs that it takes to make the trip to the pay-per-view, especially with the current economy. For some fans, they can justify the price tag once as a special trip, but it's simply not financially possible to make an annual trip to Las Vegas for pro wrestling. It's outside of the wrestling bubble, but the real world impact of inflation, particular with flights and lodging for travel, undoubtedly had an effect on the diehard fans that would've usually made the trip to Double or Nothing.

Another aspect that might've influenced travel to Double or Nothing is that All In at the stadium is a bigger show on the horizon so prehaps fans thought that the Las Vegas event was more of a bridge to England so the biggest card possible is going to be saved for Wembley. The $50 price tag to watch it on pay-per-view is much easier to justify than the hundreds of dollars it will cost to travel to be in the building to see Double or Nothing.

Essentially, the lack of a sell out for the pay-per-view this weekend after the previous events in Las Vegas were sold out is more of an indication that the economy isn't the best for a traveling crowd and the fact that Double or Nothing was already booked there previously.

Speaking of new markets, they are necessary for a touring promotion to maximize its fan base, but at the same time, it can be a difficult balancing act. As mentioned, Collision ticket sales are sluggish so far, with the bulk of the first tour being held in Canada as a part of the company's debut north of the boarder. In this scenario, the Canadian market can either be viewed as fresh territory, similar to how the UK generated major ticket sales, or it's an unproven venture, depending on the perspective. Comparable to how some fans might view Wembley as the bigger show than Double or Nothing, it's very possible that The Forbidden Door pay-per-view, the co-promoted event that will be held in Toronto during the Canadian loop, will take priority for fans. Granted, the full tour was only announced a month before the events, which makes Collision's launch sound rushed, so there's time to move tickets, but again, given the economy, regardless of the country, fans are going to spend their dollars for the biggest show possible. Collision is still an unknown and unproven commodity so it's a much easier option for fans to spend their money on the New Japan collaboration than the Saturday night experiment.

Aside from the booking, which is unquestionably a major piece of the puzzle, one of the biggest problems with the addition of another prime time show is that All Elite is more or less going to have to double its ability to draw a live crowd with another weekly event on the line-up. There isn't meant as a knock against AEW, but rather a look at not only the economy, but the current climate of the sports entertainment industry. One of the reason that Raw can draw an audience on the road, aside from WWE's massive brand awareness, something that was even further cemented with the UFC merger, is that it has over thirty years of history behind it so there's a certain amount of cache that the show has because of it. In a similar way, Smackdown has over twenty year of history and has that notoriety with it.

As noted, Collision isn't an established brand, and unless there's some definitive booking to make it stand out, it might become typecast as the secondary Saturday show, particularly if it doesn't draw solid numbers because of its time slot. As I said in the article about Collision earlier this week, my concern with the addition of another two-hour show is that Thunder, both from a booking and attendance perspective, hindered the business of WCW so there are definitely pitfalls that Tony Khan will have to avoid. The bottom line is, fans are only going to spend a certain amount of money on pro wrestling, regardless of the brand or the product. Perhaps taping Collision on the same night as Dynamite will eventually be an option, but it's definitely possible that the addition of the Saturday should could eventually hinder more than it helps the company.

Will Collision draw ratings?

As I wrote in an article about the latest CM Punk debacle last week, which saw the former WWE and AEW champion removed from the press material for the launch of the new Saturday night show, Collision in June, Tony Khan should cut Punk if he refuses to return to work. In truth, there shouldn't be negotiations to this, as Punk is still under contract to the organization and a flat out refusal would presumably be a breach of contract. Granted, Khan can't force Phil Brooks to lace his boots, but it would at least give Tony some legal options in terms of withholding Brooks' hefty paydays until he returns to complete the contract he signed. If Khan doesn't enforce the contract in some form or fashion, even if that would freeze Punk from working else, what's the point of the signed deal? Reportedly, one of the major reasons that the Warner Brothers Discovery network was willing to give the Khan-owned organization another two-hour time slot in prime time was that Punk, who recently recovered from the triceps injury he sustained at All Out last September before the infamous press conference, could be the center piece of the show.

I mentioned this when rumors of a third show first surfaced, but it should be noted that another two hours of programming could further dilute the product. While it's great that the Turner networks have faith in sports entertainment again, especially after the disdain they had for it when World Championship Wrestling went from the highest-rated show on cable to out of business in the span of roughly three years, the common thread throughout pro wrestling history is how much TV executives don't understand about the sport and more importantly, the distribution of content. You can't use a broad brush with the approach to a pro wrestling television show because while it's still scripted content, it's a very unique genre so there's not a paint-by-numbers technique to compare it or the ratings to other television shows.

Similar to other types of scripted content, pro wrestling draws its audience primarily because the fan base can connect with the characters on screen, the same way that the viewers rallied behind Walter White as the ill chemistry teacher that stumbled into drug dealing to provide a level of security for his family before he turned heel as the meth kingpin that saw his greed destroy his family under the Heisenberg persona. Jesse Pinkman, the burn out with no future, turned baby face as he showed a moral code through adversity. Steve Austin was the anti-hero of the WWF in a very similar way to how Omar Little robbed the drug dealers of Baltimore on The Wire.

The similarities are undoubtedly there, but it's the stark contrasts, at least within the television business, that are key to be able to put the genre in proper perspective. Comparatively speaking, pro wrestling is relatively cheap to produce, as the "setting" for the program is usually contained to the same venue, and most importantly, pro wrestling is originally programming, which garners a better ad rate for networks than reruns of older shows. Considering that pro wrestling traditionally has a steady audience, that also gives networks a level of assurance for those ads rates since consistency is a valuable commodity within the TV industry. Advertisers are willing to pay for the commercial time if they know that a specific number of viewers will see their products.

However, those dynamics are based on the short-end money for the networks, not necessarily the longevity of the pro wrestling entity.

As noted, there are major differences between the traditional scripted show and a sports entertainment program. Most importantly, the personas on the wrestling show are continuous characters. The real-life Sammy Guevara doesn't get to play a completely character different character the way an actor does when someone is cast in another role. Al Pacino was Micheal Corleone, but that had nothing to do with his role as Tony Montana. If you get an Pacino autograph, he doesn't sign it "Frank Serpico," a brilliant role that he played as a New York detective that stood up against corruption. Basically, pro wrestlers, despite the performance aspect of the sport, aren't actors.

So, that's why it's extremely important for the prospect of another show be a positive for the company in terms of how it can progress not only the product, but the characters involved. All things considered, I'm honestly not sure if there's any need or even a demand, outside of the network executives that want to sell commercial time, for more AEW content. Ironically, the bloated rosters, which would theoretically make more talent available for Collision, do nothing to help the situation. Too often, as we've seen with the four pillars angle ahead of this weekend's pay-per-view, if a booker tries to get everyone over then nobody gets over. Does anyone honestly believe that any of the challengers look like they are going to beat MJF for the title? That's because there wasn't a specific focus for the segments on television. On a broader scale, that's what happens with most of the current AEW television product. There's a reason that those with the most consistent TV exposure are the competitors that are the most over in the company. Jon Moxley is considered by many to be an MVP of the promotion because the fans can see his dedication to consistent performances. When a talent disappears for several weeks or sometimes a few months at a time, they aren't on the show enough to establish the previously mentioned connection with the audience. When Private Party were featured early in the existence of AEW, they started to generate a following, but as their involvement on the shows became secondary, they weren't in the conversation of the fan base.

With Rampage already a completely secondary program that doesn't have an impact in the grand scheme of things, which it has been for the bast majority of its existence, there's no indication that Tony Khan could book another two-hour show that has a purpose or makes progress, especially when Dynamite still lacks logic on a semi-regular basis. One of the downsides of Tony's E-fed approach is that booking isn't simply putting names on paper. How is Collision going to compliment Dynamite and the company?

Judging from the Dynamite and Rampage numbers, both ratings that have decreased in recent months, there's just not a demand for more AEW content. That's not meant as a knock on the company, either. You have to keep in mind that in the modern era, there's more competition for viewers than any other time in history with more entertainment options than any previous era. Traditional television is trying to maintain its foot print, streaming services that over saturated the market are trying to sustain themselves, there are countless free podcast options, and every other form of media that are trying to get viewers. The bottom line is, even the most diehard wrestling fans aren't going to watch dozens of hours of sports entertainment programming to keep up with the national organizations. In some ways, that's what made All Elite an easier viewing experience after its launch since there was only one weekly show that the audience had to watch to follow the product.

Finally, and this might be the biggest hurdle for Collision, even if Tony Khan tightens up the booking of the shows, the competition for viewers on Saturdays is going to be very difficult for the organization. Aside from the fact that a portion of potential viewers aren't home on Saturdays, the other broadcasts that are scheduled for the weekend are usually major events. Fight cards and sports playoffs are going to be an uphill battle for AEW, especially because those events are the shows that have traditionally taken a portion of wrestling viewership since there are similar demographics. Are fans going to watch Collision if there's a big time college game scheduled? Are viewers going to watch Collision instead of Conor McGregor's eventual return to the octagon?

Sure, the traditional Saturday night wrestling from a few decades ago was great, but the argument could be made that it doesn't apply to the modern era. The biggest concern I have, especially because I sincerely want to see All Elite be as successful as possible since it benefits the entire industry, is that Collision will essentially become what Thunder was to WCW. It's well-documented from those that were there that the addition of the Thursday show was one of the key errors that prompted the company to decline. Keep in mind, more shows weren't added to the wrestling line-up during the Attitude era until after the surge in popularity. Again, based on the numbers for Dynamite and Rampage, there's not a demand for more All Elite content.

If Collision over saturates the market, it will have a domino effect that will dilutes the product and thus erode the importance of broadcasts across the board, which is what Thunder did to WCW during the era.

The career of Superstar Billy Graham

During the broadcast of this week's AEW Dynamite on TBS, it was announced during the Chris Jericho vs. Rodrick Strong match that Hall of Famer and former WWWF champion, "Superstar" Billy Graham passed away at the age of 79. Sadly, the news was expected, as the colorful grappler was on life support after a lengthy hospital stay for a myriad of health problems.

Of course, and rightfully so, tributes from around the sports entertainment world flooded social media as those at the highest levels gave their recognition to "Superstar" for his innovation promo style and flamboyant appearance that essentially created the blue print for what sports entertainment superstars were thought to be in the years that followed. Make no mistake about it, without Graham in the tye dye in the 70s, Hulk Hogan wouldn't have sported the red and yellow in the 80s, or the facial hair style as a heel in the late-90s. Much of the same can be said for Scott Steiner, who arguably found his greatest success as a main eventer in the latter years of WCW as he borrowed a page from the Superstar playbook. Even Austin Idol, who probably could've had an even bigger run if he worked different territories in his heyday, was basically a Memphis version of Billy Graham.

It's ironic how things can go full circle as far as influences go and there ripple effect that can result from it. "Superstar" Graham credits the legendary Muhammad Ali for his interview style, while Ali, who was a big wrestling fan himself, cited another legend, "Classy" Freddie Blassie as one of the entertainers that inspired the boxer during his career.

While the accolades and recognition are certainly well-deserved, the story of Billy Graham, both the performer and the man, can't be accurately told without the acknowledgement of the precautionary tales that come along with it.

The real-life Wayne Coleman trained under Stu Hart in Calgary, and got his first major break working for Mike LeBell in California, where he was teamed with Jerry Graham, who gave Coleman the famous Graham name. Prior to his start in pro wrestling, Coleman trained extensively in body building, working out with a young Arnold Schwarzenegger and other fitness luminaries of that period. With his massive physique, Coleman spotlighted muscle mass before it was the standard in the pro wrestling genre. He spent the early-1970s working for Verne Gange's American Wrestling Association, which was still in its heyday based on Verne's stardom from his time on the DuMont Network years earlier. Despite the solid business, Graham, a legitimate native of Phoenix, Arizona, explained in a WWE DVD release years later that he left the AWA in 1975 because of the harsh winters in the territory.

By the time he landed in the WWWF in 1975, "Superstar" had fully developed his Ali-inspired persona and his colorful attire was a contrast that made him standout, as much of the McMahon territory during the era was based on blue collar baby faces or the foreign villains. In many ways, Graham was the first cool heel, which added another layer to the pro wrestling narrative. He wasn't technically skilled in the ring, but his charisma and promos were more than enough to draw fans to the box office. In 1977, the iconic Bruno Sammartino, who carried the territory on his back for years as the dominate champion, insisted that he drop the WWWF belt to take a break from such a demanding schedule. The New York-based organization was a baby face territory, a strategy that was used largely because of how immensely popular Bruno was, so the draw of the promotion was to see the over hero battle against the dastardly villains to see if they could retain the title. The concept of the babyface chasing the title wasn't common place in the WWWF so naturally, heels often had shorter title reigns to transition to the next top baby face champion. Stan Stasiak, Ivan Koloff, and The Iron Sheik were all used in this role. With the legendary Ernie Roth, known as The Grand Wizard, by his side, Superstar Graham dethroned the Italian strongman for the championship in Baltimore in 1977. According to The Wrestling Obsever's Dave Meltzer, the title switch was booked for Baltimore instead of Madison Square Garden because the WWWF office didn't want to risk a riot from the New York fans.

Roth's trademark turban and futuristic sun glasses complimented Graham's psychedelic style well, and the villain looked so cool that some fans just had to cheer for him. Sammartino and Graham worked rematches around the loop, but it was clear that Bruno wanted to wind down his full-time career, which he concluded in 1981. With Bruno's exit from the ring on the horizon, McMahon Sr. needed a new top baby face to take the traditional spot in the territory. Bob Backlund, who spent his formative years as a pro in the AWA after an accomplished amateur career, was chosen to be the All-American "good guy" as the next WWWF champion. If the mid-west athlete translated to the blue collar audience is a different discussion for a different time, but still, Graham won the championship in 1977 with the knowledge that he would be asked to lose the title Backlund at some point. Considering how revolutionary his character was, McMahon Sr. probably didn't expect him to get such a major reaction despite being a heel, and there was definitely an argument to be made that Graham could've been turned baby face for another reign, but the old school Capital Sports promoter wanted to stay the path of the original plan for the title. Despite tremendous popularity and memorable matches, including a few WWF vs. NWA championship bouts against Dusty Rhodes, "Superstar" lost the title to Backlund as scheduled in 1978.

After the usual series of rematches against Backlund, Graham left the WWWF and for a few years more or less disappeared from the national scene. It wasn't until mid-1982 that he returned to the WWF for a brief stint with a new look, which was the facial hair style that Hulk Hogan and Scott Scott Steiner borrowed years later. However, the flashy tye dye was replaced with karate pants and a very clumsy karate style in the ring. He made appearances in the NWA throughout the mid-80s, but it was clear that the spark was gone from the "Superstar" presentation. Many pundits have cited that Graham went into a deep depression after he was asked to lose the WWWF champion, and the argument could be made that he was never the same, inside or outside of the ring, after he couldn't recapture the fame.

Unfortunately, years of steroid abuse from his body building days and drug use during his wrestling career took a massive toll on his body. He needed a hip replacement in 1986 upon his return to the WWF and that was actually used in the angle for his comeback to television, but it was a short experiment as when he got back in the ring the following year, he couldn't physically compete so he retired to work as an announcer before he was released from the company in 1988.

Billy Graham was very bitter about his exit from the McMahon organization, and appeared on the infamous episode of the Phil Donohue show in 1992 in the midst of the steroid scandal that caused a wave of negative press toward the industry at the time. Graham accused McMahon of knowing about the distribution of steroids. As we know, McMahon went to trial during the scandal, but was acquitted in 1994. After Graham was brought back to the WWE in 2004 for a Hall of Fame induction, which also included a book deal and DVD on his career as a part of a new contract, he admitted during the documentary that he lied about the steroid accusations against McMahon. So, either Graham fabricated the original accusations because he was bitter that he was released from a WWE contract in 1988 or he was willing to lie to clear McMahon's name during the DVD in exchange for the new contract in 2004.

Either way, it's tough to tell the story of how revolutionary he was without recognizing that hypocrisy was another major aspect of his career. In fact, Graham had several disputes with the WWE over the past two decades and his stance on things changed, depending on if he was on the payroll or not. For example, he was released in 2009 from a "consulting job," which was probably just a nice way of sending him a pay check for the previous five years, and that prompted criticism from him toward the company. In 2015, he infamously campaigned to get Dusty Rhodes' job in NXT just days after Dusty passed away. In 2019, he went as far as to suggest that Adam Cole should use steroids and that Triple H, the COO of a publicly-traded company, could show him how to use them properly. The whole situation was ridiculous, especially considering that steroids destroyed Graham's body and thus ended his career. Over the years, Billy Graham claimed several times that he didn't have long to live, which could've been accurate, but more often than not, it was associated with a Go Fund Me campaign for him.

The point being, Billy Graham was a complicated man, which isn't to say that he was a bad guy, but rather that he was often financially desperate after the end of his wrestling career because of the health problems that resulted from his own decisions to use steroids or drugs. Maybe he changed his story or his stance on things over the years because he simply needed the money. On the other hand, maybe Graham thought he was owed a living by the WWE? In a previous era, guys were quietly taken care of because of their tenure or importance to the company. Lou Albano, Gorilla Monsoon, and Freddie Blassie were among those that were kept under the WWE banner, but it's a different time and a publicly-traded corporation can't necessarily keep too many favors jobs on the payroll during budget cuts because there are stockholders invested in the company. Originally, Graham got a favor job for five years, but still struggled financially after that.

Thankfully, it seemed like Billy Graham and the WWE were on good terms in more recent years as he signed a legends contract with the company in 2021. Graham was undoubtedly a complex man that had his share of problems, but much of his legacy will be that he was the prototype for the role of sports entertainer that eventually yielded  the WWE the major success.

What's the status of Collision?

After a few months of speculation, Warner Brothers Discovery officially announced that All Elite Wrestling will get the rumored "Collision" show added to it's line-up with a two-hour time slot on Saturdays, with the graphic and the placement on the TNT network as a nod to the Nitro era. While Saturday night pro wrestling was a staple a few decades ago, it remains to be seen if a weekend television show will draw anything similar to the numbers that Dynamite draws on Wednesdays, which were sluggish recently because of sports playoffs. Outside of more cash for a third show, the addition of Collision to the AEW schedule also gave the rumor mill the notion that it would be a way to bring CM Punk back into the company without any involvement from The Elite after their backstage brawl last September. As I said previously, it's middle school drama if supposed professionals aren't willing to work together so everyone gets their own place on the play ground, but if Warner Brothers Discovery is willing to pay a hefty rights fee for a third show, and Punk is still under contract anyway, it makes sense to book him for something in an attempt to get a return on the investment.

The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported a few weeks ago that a meeting took place with CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and some of AEW management in an attempt to smooth things over. However, after that, Punk went backstage at the Raw taping in Chicago and mended some fences, specifically with The Miz and Triple H before he was asked to leave, simply because he's still under contract to Tony Khan, and that might prompt accusations of contract tampering. As I wrote at the time, CM Punk is a masterful politician and make no mistake about it, he was letting Tony Khan know that he has options for big money outside of All Elite. In truth, it shouldn't be all that shocking that the door would still be open for Punk to return to WWE before he hangs up his boots. If Ultimate Warrior and Sable re-signed with WWE, it's definitely possible Punk could make a comeback. As much baggage as Punk brings with him, when you take the Dynamite ratings into account, there's still a portion of the WWE audience that hasn't seen Punk in the ring since his exit in 2014 so there would undoubtedly be a demand for him to return to Raw. If that level of demand is worth the hassle of dealing with the real-life Phil Brooks is a different scenario.

After his visit to Raw made headlines on social media, Punk also attended the Impact tapings when the company was in Chicago, but I think that was more Punk trying to spin the narrative that his visit to Raw wasn't a power play against Tony Khan than that he just wanted to welcome the Impact crew to his hometown.

Still, with the premiere date of Collision scheduled for Chicago, many assumed that Punk's return to the company and the rumors that he will be a staple on the Saturday show were more or less confirmed. However, that was until earlier today when PWInsider's Mike Johnson, one of the most accurate journalists in the sport, reported that CM Punk wasn't featured on the promotional material of the Collision announcement from Discovery because there was yet another disagreement in the negotiations to bring him back to television. According to Johnson, CM Punk was under the assumption that his trainer and longtime friend, Ace Steel, who worked backstage for AEW until the All Out brawl, would be brought back as well. Steel, who worked extensively in Ring Of Honor and had a stint in WWE as a coach, was released from All Elite because of his involvement in the backstage fight, biting Kenny Omega during the melee. Based on the current reports, Punk doesn't want to come back to the organization unless Ace is brought back with him to work backstage again.

If this is true, and if it's being reported by Mike Johnson, I'd say that the news is credible, this should be the absolute last straw for Tony Khan if he actually wants to run a business instead of a vanity project. Keep in mind, Phil Brooks is being paid millions of dollars and the majority of that time that he was paid those millions, he was sitting on his couch because he's injury prone. Along with that, Punk trashed the company at the infamous All Out press conference while Tony sat there like a deer in the headlights. He also posted on social media more recently to lash out against Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, the booking of the AEW title match. AEW has paid CM Punk millions, but has the company truly benefited from his association?

The bottom line is, if the employment of Ace Steel is honestly the determining factor for CM Punk to be willing to show up for a television taping then Tony Khan should release him before the company wastes any more money on this failed experiment. Don't get me wrong, I think "Crazy" Ace is great, but there's a much bigger picture involved with this and potentially millions of dollars on the line. Phil Brooks is smart enough to know that, but might be too petty to return to draw for the company that already paid him major money. The cash that Discovery is willing to pay for the Collision show is more important than if Ace Steel has a job, and if that is a deal-breaker for CM Punk then it's not a smart business move for Khan to keep him under contract.

Finally, and this might be the biggest takeaway from all of this fiasco, if Tony Khan caves to Punk's demands and brings Ace back, it lets CM Punk know that he can do anything he wants in AEW. Most importantly, it would prove that Tony Khan can't be an effective boss in professional wrestling. That's not a knock on his passion and the credit he deserves for being willing to fund a sports entertainment project when he didn't have to, but rather to point out that he can't truly make the tough decisions as a promoter. Granted, maybe after all of this hassle, Tony will put his foot down and tell Punk to hit the bricks, there will be more disagreements in the company.

The career of Jason Tyler

Professional wrestling, the blend of athleticism and spectacle, has produced some of the most over-the-top, flamboyant, and charismatic personas in any field of entertainment. The glitz and the glamour mixed with the grittiness of in-ring action allows for a very unique genre to make an impression on its audience. Of course, along with the drama that can be created within a sports entertainment narrative, colorful characters also have a chance to become a part of the fabric of the industry. From the local independent gigs to the major leagues, the ability of an entertaining character to draw the audience remains one of the pieces of the foundation of the business.

One of the most memorable examples of this concept was the rather cartoonish era of the early-90s when national scandals painted the pro wrestling industry in a rather negative light. In an effort to soften the image of the sport, a new cast of over-the-top personas were spotlighted. While the industry was in a slump because of the previously mentioned negative publicity, the domino effect in an attempt to clean up the image of the sport led to characters that are still fondly remembered today. Kamala, the real-life James Harris, had his first major break as a terrifying cannibal in 1982, which was a decade before he appeared equally as terrified of The Undertaker's casket at the Survivor Series.

As a way to make programming more family-friendly and thus more easily identifiable for a younger audience, in addition to Bret Hart's rise as the top "good guy" star in the company, a myriad of profession gimmicks made their way on-screen during this era. As with anything else, this experiment yield mixed results. Duke “The Dumpster” Droese as the neighborhood trash collector or TL Hopper in the role of the resident plumber of the WWF didn't exactly print money. However, Mike Rotunda working as the tax man was very memorable because who doesn't want to see the IRS take a chair shot?

While the former Captain Mike didn't actually prepare audits every April, some of the characters that made such an impact on a generation of fans, were based on the real-life performers before their wrestling careers. For example, Paul Bearer was the real-life mortician William Moody before he broke into the pro wrestling circuit. His real experiences in the funeral industry undoubtedly allowed him to flourish as the advisor to the previously mentioned Undertaker. When a pro wrestling character is based on some aspect of reality, it allows for the most authentic presentation possible. Sure, Percy Pringle III had a solid run early in his wrestling days as a Bobby Heenan-inspired manager in World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas, but it was his role as the mortician sidekick that allowed him to reach national notoriety and a Hall of Fame career.

That authenticity is so important because it allows the audience to connect with the performers in the squared circle.

Around the Pittsburgh area, a region that was built on the accomplishments of legends like Bruno, Angle, and Douglas, an abundance of talent look to be among the next names of the area to jump into the national conversation.

One such talent is "Big Rig" Jason Tyler, a brute with a tremendous amount of agility for his size. The youngster broke into the business in 2017, training under the International Wrestling Cartel banner, one of the longest-running and most well-known organizations in the area. A converted storage facility houses the no-frill academy, but the ring that is surrounded by plain dry way on each side provides a platform for a vast amount of wrestling knowledge. The tedious process of landing on the stiff canvas repeatedly to learn the safest way possible to protect the body from impact was far from the spectacle that Tyler saw on television, but reflecting on it, he cites how valuable the experience was for him.

"I emailed a few schools, and IWC was the first one to get back to me. Training was tough, my tryout was probably one of the worst, but I didn’t quit. The trainers were Chris LeRusso and Andrew Palace. Sometimes, I got one-on-one training a lot that helped me progress. Training taught me that physical health and conditioning is very important. I started training at 19 so I was still young and dumb, but this business has a way of maturing you quick, which I’m grateful and happy for, Jason remarked.

LeRusso, who started in the business at just 18 years old, has a twenty year career to his name and is currently the head organizer for Ryse Wrestling, and Andrew Palace remains one of the top standout stars for the International Wrestling Cartel. When the pair of trainers saw Jason progress throughout the lessons and safely complete the courses, the esteemed pair of grapplers gave him their stamp of approval. It was time for his pro debut, but just who would Jason Tyler be as a wrestling persona?

Jason didn't have to look far to figure out who he would be in the earliest chapter of his career because he was, in many ways, going to be himself. Always aware of the show business aspect of the sport, Jason Tyler, a real-life firefighter since the age of 14, took an aspect of the family business and blended it with the wrestling business. The "Sexy Fireman" persona would borrow a page from the late Chris Farely's playbook when the big man would strut his way to be ring in an ironic dance routine to entertain the audience. Tyler found a formula that made him standout from the pack of aspiring rookies almost immediately upon his pro debut.

"My dad was a fireman since he was a teenager. It’s in the family, my brother is a fireman, and my sisters used to be. The brotherhood aspect of firefighting is the same as wrestling. We are all one big family, even more so in wrestling because I see them more than I see my fellow firefighters," Tyler explained.

In just the few years that he laced up his boots, Jason already made a noticeable impression on the regional circuit, zigzagging around the tri-state area for a variety of organizations. Still, he considers the comradery that he had a chance to develop with those in the industry just as valuable as his early success.

"My match with Sam Adonis in my hometown, I was a bigger back then so I know if we had the chance to tear it up these days, we could top it. Sam is a great mentor and influence on my career. Anytime I get to wrestle Zach Nystrom or Elijah Dean, whether it be tag team or singles matches, it’s always a highlight. I teamed with Bushwhacker Luke against them and that was fun. I could wrestle Money Shot every show and never get tired of it," Tyler said.

"He's extremely underrated, deceptively agile, but will never come close to being as good as me. He probably puts nacho cheese on his salads like a weirdo," said the brash Elijah Dean when asked about the in-ring ability of Jason Tyler.

More recently, with a level of seasoning and a firm sense of confidence based on his previously mentioned achievements, Tyler put a sharper edge on his pro wrestling persona with the "Big Rig" moniker, a nod to his big man style, but with his signature quickness, an aspect of his career that puts him in a league of his own in many ways. When he's not pummbeling opponets in the ring or fighting fires, he hunts ghosts and has the "Pardon The Paranormal" podcast to document his experiences. However, considering that sports entertainment has been his passion since a very young age, he stays focused on what he wants to achieve in pro wrestling.

"My goal in wrestling is just keep pushing myself because the sky is the limit. I want to make it to the top of IWC  then, of course, the main goal is to get signed," Tyler concluded.

The career of Meighan Nelson

Just last month, as I was taking notes on a format sheet, using an empty display stand as an impromptu desk backstage at Ryse Wrestling, a league that runs independent events in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the blue collar town just south of the city, I was told that I'd have a new broadcast partner for the evening. The organization hosts its events and training center, which has produced athletes that have had local and national success in the Uniontown Mall. A former Burlington Coat Factory was converted into a pro wrestling arena, complete with the entrance set, lights, banners, and of course, the squared circle to contain the action.

Just an hour before the 7 PM bell time, which was right after I had the chance to get a few pre-match notes from Promise Braxton, the Reality Of Wrestling star that begun her career under the Ryse banner, I had a chance to discuss the card with my broadcast pal for the night, the esteemed Meighan Nelson, an accomplished pro that joined the Ryse crew last year as their backstage correspondent. Despite being relatively new to the on-air side of the sport, with bright red hair, which she inherited from her mom's Irish lineage, bright smile, poise, and professionalism, she was a natural in the sports entertainment genre.

Based on not only how I saw her interviews presented, but her confident style, I knew she would translate very well to the commentary booth. It was ironic on that May evening just after 6 PM that Meighan was prepared to make her official commentary debut because 6:05 has always had a special place in her professional wrestling journey.

"I was brought up with it, I recall as a young girl, probably as young as a toddler being a huge professional wrestling fan. Some of my earliest memories were me and my sister dancing to Jimmy Valiant's song. I also remember as a kid around 6 PM, knowing it was dinner time because the first we'd hear that wrestling bell after 6:05, we knew it was time for dinner. I remember my dad sitting in his chair at the dinner table that faced the living room and he'd be perched, watching NWA. In 1992, I watched it with him and got really into it after I watched Clash Of The Champions, where Medusa wrestled Paul E. Dangerously, and I remember thinking it was the coolest thing," she explained.

After she saw the future Hall of Famer, Medusa pummel the future extreme leader, Meighan went all-in on professional wrestling, watching as many shows and attending as many live events as possible throughout the 90s. In particular, during the cartoonish era of the WWF, despite their villainous persona, she went wild for the Quebecers and their manager Johnny Polo, who she was a fan of since his Scott Flamingo days in WCW. Similar to so many, the boom of the late-90s fueled her fandom even further, as she keenly watched the momentum of the Monday night wars tilt back and fourth during the era. Also similar to many fans of that boom period, when the sizzle from the wrestling boom faded after Vince McMahon bought World Championship Wrestling, Meighan's fandom waned with the consolidation of the industry.

She went onto a successful career and into the next chapters of her life, with pro wrestling as just a memory from her youth. It wasn't until almost to decades later in 2019 when the stress of the nine-to-five hustle of life prompted her to look for an evening away from reality that the sport that amazed her as a youngster was brought back into her life. At the recommendation of a friend, Nelson attended that year's International Wrestling Cartel Super Indy tournament, widely regarded as one of the biggest events of the Pittsburgh area, a region that has almost as much of a wrestling history as the steel it once produced.

Coincidentally, the same year that Nelson's passion for pro wrestling re-entered her life, All Elite Wrestling, Tony Khan's upstart group, launched, and Meighan credits the excitement of the AEW product as one of the aspects that brought her back full swing into her fandom. From attending television tapings to traveling to pay-per-views, she felt like that same enthusiasm for the sport as she did in her youth. Another aspect from her younger years that she had a chance re-live was to listen to pro wrestling luminaries recount their memories of those Saturday night shows or Clash Of The Champion specials through the Conrad Thompson podcast network. Conrad, a real estate czar that parlayed his passion for pro wrestling into a profitable side gig, also saw Meighan's talent when she got involved with some of the Thompson projects, hosting a few shows in the past.

Through her time working under the Conrad umbrella, Meighan got a chance to develop a working relationship with someone else that took a twenty-year hiatus from following the business the way she did before the launch of AEW, the legendary voice of the Saturday night shows that she watched from the dinner table, Tony Schiavone. Nelson, who gets an occasional mention on the wildly successful "What Happened When" podcast, is regularly trusted to help the current All Elite broadcaster at events and signings, a unique opportunity to blend her fans from inside of pro wrestling with the skills she utilizes as a successful professional outside of the sports entertainment realm.

"He's the ultimate professional," Nelson said with enthusiasm. "People say don't meet your heroes, you'll be disappointed but I was a Tony Schiavone, and he's always a gentleman."

With her dedication to professional wrestling fully restored, Nelson had another opportunity to get even more involved with the business that drew her back into that youthful fandom again. After she became a familiar face around the local Pittsburgh scene, many recognized her kind and professional attitude, as she always showed such a level of respect for the performers that risk their health for the entertainment of the paying audience. Chris LeRusso, a grappler with twenty years of in-ring experience, was offered the opportunity to takeover as the head organizer for the previously mentioned Ryse Wrestling organization at the start of 2022 with the notion to give the promotion a fresh coat of paint as the wrestling world as a whole finally emerged from the pandemic. LeRusso, who has also worked as a trainer and traveled extensively during his tenure in the sport, saw the level of poise and professionalism that Meighan had. Nelson was offered the chance to be the new backstage correspondent, a role that her mentor Tony once held, at Ryse wrestling in April of last year.

"The locker room couldn't have been warmer, couldn't have been nicer when I made it a point to try to introduce myself to everyone," she commented.

Meighan's next assignment will be this weekend for Ryse, and in many ways, her pro wrestling story went full circle because the same young lady that sat at the kitchen table with her family at 6:05 to watch pro wrestling will find herself on-camera with her own mic this Saturday night around that same well-known time for pro wrestling.

The ballad of Jungle Boy

Billy Gunn is a bigger star than Jungle Boy. That is, Billy Gunn was a bigger star, still is a bigger star, and will continue to be a bigger star than Jack Perry.

The recent "For The Love of Wrestling" convention in Manchester, England had several stars, both past and present, brought to the UK for autograph sessions with the British fans. As we know, All Elite Wrestling will be going across the pond to Wembley Stadium with a major portion of tickets already sold before a match is announced for the card. I was skeptical and still wonder how many fans will end up in the stadium, but I'm genuinely happy that the company did better numbers for the event so far than I would've guessed could've been accomplished. Along with its UK debut, AEW is more flexible with its talent, as far as their ability to take outside gigs, one of the perks of working outside the strict corporate structure of WWE.

Along with autographs and photo-ops, fans had the chance to attend Q&A sessions for a variety of the current stars, as well as the legends from the past. In the era of the smart phone and social media, some wrestlers, even those that you would think would know better, can make themselves look bad with a live mic in their hand.

Jack Perry, who is set to be featured in the main event of AEW's next pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, is the latest performer to make himself and AEW look silly with the mic. Initially, I saw on social media that there were English fans that commented that despite paying for his meet and greet, Jungle Boy was less than gracious with his interaction with fans. As disappointing as it might be when someone that the fans enjoy on television is a jerk in real life, it's not necessarily surprising since you've heard stories like that for years so I didn't think much of the claims that Jack Perry might not be the enthusiastic guy that you see on television if you meet him in-person. While there's no excuse for being rude or dismissive of fans, especially those that are paying for the autographs at a convention, we're all human so it's possible that Perry had a bad day. Maybe his bags were lost at the airport? Maybe he had diarrhea on the flight?

Everyone has a bad day occasionally, even if the professional thing to do would've been to greet the fans nicely that thought enough of his work to pay to meet him. However, the Q&A session, which was undoubtedly posted on Youtube to generate views, revealed that Jungle Boy's attitude wasn't the result of stomach problems, but rather that it was probably a reflection of his real-life persona. During the vast majority of the questions that were asked from the audience Jack Perry seemed annoyed to be there and aloof in most of his responses. The potential next top baby face of AEW looking as exciting as watching paint dry doesn't exactly create any optimism or enthusiasm about the product. When asked who he talks to about matches, Jungle Boy said that he doesn't talk to Billy Gunn and claimed that the former WWE star "hates Canadian destoryers" before he explained that he will sometimes vomit before big matches, but doesn't for "the matches he doesn't care about" in AEW.

There are two major takeaways from the flat answers that Perry provided.

 First, one of the guys in the main event of the next pay-per-view just admitted that there are matches that he doesn't care about. If the wrestlers in the ring don't care about the matches, why should the fans care about them? More importantly, if Jack Perry doesn't care about some of his matches, why should the fans want to pay to see his matches? Secondly, and this continues to be a common topic of discussion for AEW, Jungle Boy dismisses the advice of previous generations, which is very similar to comments Adam Page made about disregarding advice from older stars. It's fair to consider the evolution of the sport, but the foundation of the business and thus the entire point of trying to draw money, remain the same regardless of the era. The psychology of "good guys" and villains is still a staple of the industry because there are heels in real life so that dynamic is something that the audience can connect with during show. Keep in mind, the goal is or at least should be, to draw as much money as possible and to maximize that opportunity so it makes sense to present a narrative that has the biggest demographic possible. The general public can relate to the baby face trying to get a win over the heel, it's a narrative that is used in sports, movies, and politics. Isn't it ironic that politicians always ask for donations in an effort to defeat the other side?

As far as Jungle Boy mentioning Billy Gunn, there's a reason that he should take advice from the former WWE star. Don't get me wrong, Jack Perry is a very good performer and he can go in the ring, his mindset, not his skills, are the topic of discussion. In theory, he has the potential to eventually be a top star for AEW, assuming he gets away from the minor league thought process. Granted, the King of the Ring push didn't exactly work out in 1999, but Billy Gunn was a member of one of the most popular factions in the history of the sport during one of the biggest booms in the history of the sport. Furthermore, he more or less remained a part of the industry for the past thirty years, the majority of that time spent on the roster of a national promotion so it's fair to say that he brings valuable knowledge to the table. At the peak of the Attitude era, there were roughly ten million viewers for pro wrestling between Raw and Nitro, and depending of the week, five or six million of those viewers watched Billy Gunn as a part of DX on Raw. For a comparison, Dynamite drew 776,000 viewers last week, which was a drop from 863,000 viewers that week before that. Yes, the Attitude era was a different time, both with the evolution of the industry and the media landscape, but the point being, Jungle Boy performed on a television show that had less than 20% of the audience that Billy Gunn performed for in his prime so the bottom line is, Billy has television experience that Jungle Boy isn't in the same league of so it's unfair to automatically write it off as antiquated advice. Until the ratings dramatically increase during Jungle Boy segments, which they haven't then maybe it might be wise for him to consider what veterans have to say about the status of the television product.

Jack Perry seems to have an indy mindset and that thought process is based on a niche, which doesn't translate to national television. Too often, the die hard AEW fan base doesn't realize that the goal for the mainstream distribution of a cable network isn't the same as the indy show in front of 400 fans. There's undoubtedly a way to present the AEW style to the general public, but more often than not, the program seems too inside baseball for the causal viewer. Tony Khan put Vikingo in the main event spot against Kenny Omega for his AEW debut, but there was zero explanation about why it was being advertised as a "dream match" prior to that. If Perry doesn't understand why there doesn't need to be a Canadian destoryer in several matches then he will be great for an independent show with a few hundred people, but won't make a dent in the national ratings.

As far as the perception of the current audience, the fact that Jungle Boy seems completely aloof to the bigger picture of national TV is probably moot. That demographic will support much of the AEW product regardless of the possible flaws, simply because its the contrarian point of view to the WWE. That being said, if Jack Perry being a jerk becomes a common theme on social media, the majority of the All Elite audience is in enough of the wrestling bubble that the domino effect could sour the live audience on his character. If it happened to Sammy Guevara, it could happen to Jungle Boy and it wouldn't exactly help sell Double or Nothing if the audience rejects one of the baby faces in the main event of the pay-per-view.