Jim Cornette on AEW's Backstage Drama

From Episode 446 of the Jim Cornette Experience
Guest Artist: Maurice Freeman (FreeMAN) ( / free_mangoberry )
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[@StrongStyleFiction]

No one noticed Kingston's suspension because people dropping off TV for weeks at a time is a normal occurrence and is my second biggest peeve with the company. The first is their refusal to recap or explain anything.

[@deejo2278]

This. More specifically cycling people on and off of tv, sometimes in the middle of a storyline or program

[@anonymousbo0318]

Exactly, it's so damn stupid. They don't have to wrestle every week, but you hot to shoe these guys cause they look unimportant otherwise for the most part

[@mikemathias1562]

Didnt even know he was supended

[@captain-brickhead8317]

He gets pulled off TV everytime he’s in an angle and gets over.

[@peterlee6374]

Yep i just thought it was the usual aew just dumping people of tv for weeks for no reason

[@segagenesis7708]

Say what you want about Cody's on-screen character, but he was the only adult of the EVPs and did a lot to quell backstage issues. Wardlow was a Cody guy. MJF and Cody are real life friends. Cody worked hard to put over Malakai Black. Cody covered up a lot of issues.

[@mrigotyourgirl6754]

Cody said fuck this y’all can slave for the fanboy

[@asurlybarber3620]

Cody just yelled "fuck on me!" and walked away.

[@Chozin1]

If triple h gets MJF and lets him do is thing . He could be the heel that ushers in the new era

[@michaelmee8074]

Cody's shit mostly wasn't very good, but somehow it was less insulting as compared to whatever the fucking hell is going on the tv show these days.

[@Ramekink]

It seems that Cody was the guy who had all the non-elite friends' and/or ex wwe guys' backs

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Eddie Kingston is the type of guy to yell _"HOLD ME BACK! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO!!!"_ while he walks backwards and pulls people in front of him.

[@TribalThief]

100 percent, I think sanding said exactly that

[@Kancerru]

Lmfao

[@NoStyleDutch]

Eddie Kingston is the most disappointing to hear about because on some level I thought he really was atleast close to how he portrays himself on the mic.

[@Sky_Blaze]

They're all sensitive wussies ..wrestlers are such pre modonnas.

[@scrappy93]

100% agree lol.

[@julianbell9161]

The issue fundamentally is that Tony Khan wanted to make a wrestling promotion just so he can hang out with all of his favorite Indy wrestlers and be the cool guy. You can’t run a company with that attitude, running a company necessarily requires tough decisions that could end friendships.

[@Ramekink]

Again, if TK was as big of a fan he says he is then aew would have never been born. Trying to pull a Billy Corgan but on ROH (instead of NWA) was the best chance he had. The "prestige" was in there, the structure was there, hell, most of the EVPs have been champìons and/or made some profit over there. In fact, never forget that for a period of time, ROH was the playground of the Bullet Club/The elite. It was a fucking no-brainer. But of course that didn't happen. And we all know why.

[@fwef7445]

Tony Khan is delusional, thinks he's one of the boys, he isn't, he's a privileged son of a billionaire, no one can relate to that

[@joeykaz32]

Nah... I don't think Tony cared about being friends with the Indy guys or even knew who most of them were. I think he wanted to start what he thought would be the new "WWF" and as long as he could funnel money into it, it would get big and successful and then he could be friends with Steve Austin and The Rock and The Undertaker and every other big star from the time period that he was a rich little mark.

[@theman-t7f]

How do you know this? Do you know Tony Khan personally? Don’t assume shit about people… that’s wrong Julian.

[@mikejackson1003]

@@theman-t7f First day on the Internet?

[@MarquisLeary34]

"IT'S WRESTLING, HURT SOME FEELINGS!" Corny once again says what I was thinking for ages.

[@bls8959]

Too bad his Democrats are responsible for this weak society

[@DaggerPrince]

@@bls8959 and he doesnt even see it, he doesnt even know the SJW lunatics exist lmao. and he wants to talk about "right wingers watching the wrong news" meanwhile corny dont even see stuff happening right infront of him.

[@bls8959]

@@DaggerPrince ya he may know about wrestling but when it comes to politics he's absolutely clueless.....I think part of the reason he does it is because he's trying to virtue signal to cover up for his actual racist past....

[@Lakeshow11]

@@bls8959 the topic is wrestling

[@zachsabbath1]

@@bls8959 Democrats are responsible for this weak society? Just curious, what exactly is Conservatism? Nothing weaker than the low-IQ "patriots" and the fragile old white hairs like Mitch McConnell. "When it comes to politics he's absolutely clueless," and I'm sure you're a political science scholar, right? Unfortunately for you, I actually am a political science scholar according to the Masters degree hanging on my wall. By all means, tell me that my education is exactly indoctrination so I can shift sides and tell you exactly why the Democratic party has failed politically but has advanced modern society more than the nursing home Republicans who still have a mindset like it's 1962. I'd also wager that your political knowledge doesn't extend beyond bumper stickers and memes. Also, if that BLS is for Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society--get a better band to worship.

[@mattabshier2494]

I feel anyone with a basic understanding of human psychology could have seen this coming. You have Tony Khan, a boss who commands no respect as an authority figure as he attempts to be everyone's best friend; this leads him to hide from conflict because he can't bring himself to be "mean" to his friends, all while refusing to fire anyone. Couple that with an increasingly bloated roster full of conflicting ideologies, and it's a recipe for disaster

[@theghostofthomasjenkins9643]

none of these people know any basic human psychology. that's evident from the lack of psychology in the booking and matches. wrestling psychology is just basic psychology. it was developed by carnies. it's not that complex, lol.

[@mattabshier2494]

@@theghostofthomasjenkins9643 Not claiming it's complex at all, which is why this lack of understanding for something so simple amongst many talents today is so frustrating. Regardless of the actual quality/lack of athleticism in their performances, it's pathetic when celebrities are able to show up from time to time and display a better understanding of how things are supposed to work than many who have dedicated their lives to this. These celebrities are able to do this, because as you've said, it's not complex.

[@lodi70005]

@@theghostofthomasjenkins9643 No way. Hidden underneath the surface of every wrestling feud, whether the feud is over a title or over respect, is a Citizen Kane story just waiting to be told.

[@mannyrivera4119]

@@theghostofthomasjenkins9643 facts, all of them are marks for Japanese wrestling and only are putting out shows that a minority of fans are into.

[@williammitchell4417]

This is why I quit several companies. When people say that they're in charge yet they haven't THE FOGGIEST as to what they're doing.

[@captain-brickhead8317]

Corny and Bryan called out the politics , mis-management, elite booking, uncle dave and other BS long before the current events took place… From Cody being the first exec to leave, to the bucks trying to protect their position and not put over FTR, and even TK and the weird shit he does… Crazy to see it all playing out now and corny proving everyone his knowledge of the business is unmatched.

[@mrreddington777]

Well said.

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

@@andrams6010 um no

[@13JacksonMr]

@@andrams6010 yeah no.

[@troystaunton254]

@@andrams6010 well considering Jim has been saying wrestling is becoming garbage and a joke for 20 years and it’s been losing fans year on year for 20 years to the point people used to complain 2010 was pathetic and wished they had more wrestling like 2005 but here in 2022 people long for 2010 wrestling. The reality is even if you don’t like what corny likes in wrestling, it’s clear that he is at least in the majority who don’t like what wrestling is.

[@SAM-ru4vx]

@@andrams6010 wewantkingsroadlongtermstory

[@Guru316]

The biggest red flag was way back when Cody left. This was the guy who had left the WWE machine, and carved out his revival in other companies to where he was one of the biggest stars outside of WWE. AEW arguably may have not even happened had it not been for Cody's involvement. He helped build the alternative to WWE. Taking shots at WWE in promos, smashing the throne. I don't believe Cody ever saw himself leaving. But he did. And from some of the stuff we have seen and heard coming out of AEW I can see why. Its far from the wrestling utopia the marks want it to be. Tony needs to vastly improve the team he has around him. There is a reason WWE has so many people behind the scenes. Its pretty obvious Tony is completely out of his depth in many aspects.

[@HossBonaventureCEO]

Cody didn't carve out anything for himself, he latched onto "The Elite" and went along for the ride. He was in the right place at the right time, there's nothing more to it. If AEW never happened he'd either be in Japan, languishing in the indies, or retired.

[@Guru316]

@@HossBonaventureCEO Cool story bro.

[@MattKeller]

While many will throw out the "WCW 2000" comparisons and rightfully so, it's not like he's going to just give up and go away much to the chagrin of some. Hopefully this will just go down as his first low period and they'll figure some things out because it they don't that will cause WWE to take their foot off the gas again and HHH is certainly capable of running with some awful ideas as we've seen in the past. We need competition for all our sakes.

[@sillygoober553]

@@HossBonaventureCEO Cody was always bigger than the Elite and Bullet Club in general, his family name means royalty in the business and The Elite were latching onto NWO/DX nostalgia

[@HossBonaventureCEO]

@@Guru316 Its the truth bro

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Bret saying HBK barebacked his way to multiple main events in 1997..one of the most overlooked burns in wrestling history.

[@jimmyv3170]

I rewatched WWF 1997 and man Bret is so relatable the older you get and seeing just how unlikeable HBK was despite fans still cheering for him as this prick with a lost smile.

[@semyaza555]

Lmfao

[@brianparker5592]

As a kid you have no clue what that means. As an adult, it becomes hilarious as hell.

[@kamfisher1714]

HBK 1997 was a top 3 wrestler in the world. Bret was jealous.

[@kitpalmer1583]

@@kamfisher1714 if that's the case, Bret was at least number 2.

[@WillS724]

I feel Cody was the glue and held a position of respect backstage at aew...now that he's gone all these young guys have NO respect for Kahn when they think they're worth millions , and see old guys like Jericho and punk making the money they THINK they should.

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

Best not to forget what a douche he was at times though.

[@ReaperFrost]

The funny thing is most of those kids are not even worth a third of what Tony pays Punk and Chris (excluding MJF) But agree, Tony should know how to deal with those young guys and make them respect him as THE boss.

[@HossBonaventureCEO]

Dude Cody was one of the biggest self marks in the company just like The Bucks and Omega. Cody is the guy who was booking garbage feuds for himself and shoving his wife down everyone's throat every chance he got. He wasn't the glue, and anyone there that didn't respect Khan, The Bucks, or Omega definitely didn't respect Cody either.

[@kashifreza1993]

Cody was more important then Punk

[@fatalsniper3413]

Guys never respected the booker. Only thing the boys have ever respected was money. As soon as a better opportunity comes you will see how much they respect you.

[@KingSilly]

Valid points so far, Tony is in over his head trying to juggle every facet of aew on his own. There's no shame getting help

[@sigmablock]

I suspect The Bucks having some sort of pull again influencing Tony Khan, and it's NOOOOOOOOOT a good one. Remember the time Tony was very complimentary of Jim previously?

[@mauricioreal7384]

He needs to be sent away the way WCW sent Eric Bischoff home

[@theothesir]

Even BetterHelp?

[@adrianostafford8240]

Exactly. I'd ask him, have you ever run a wrestling company? No? Ok. So I'd expect you to ha e someone around that whispers in your ear at least and in 5 years or so (cuz it would more than likely last that long with help, without it, it's more likely it won't or will by the skin of its teeth) you strike out on your own. One would think smart folks would be extremely smart but he's not showing that.

[@gary9655]

Let's not forget it was vinnymac who caused these issues in aew! He let all those talent go, knowing that Tony would pay them and put them on tv with his originals, who will now get pissed cause they've been there since day 1, and jealous cause Tony pays them more. That's the root.

[@jamaalmoses8821]

Top guys have always brought their people along with them. Macho Man always looked out for his brother ,Lanny. The difference is Lanny was not promised the WWF title two years in advance.

[@wilcee238]

So for the eventual “Elite: The Rise and Fall Of AEW” movie. I’d cast Ryan Gosling as Orange Cassidy. John Goodman as Jericho, Adam Driver as Omega, the kids from the “Suite Life Of Zack & Cody” as the Young Bucks, Russell Brand as CM Punk, Jack Black as Excalibur (Excrement), and Aziz Ansari as Tony Khan. The part of Jim Cornette would be played by Vince Russo (Controversy creates cash!)

[@martophrenia]

Gosling is too good looking and too big to play OC.

[@SpiralPoliFemboy]

Hardcore Holly plays Cody Rhodes since they used to be a Tag Team.

[@EscapeArt15]

I agree except Cornett is played by himself. I would love to see him have to pretend he enjoyed “the rise of AEW.”

[@user-ii3zm4it4h]

I would actually prefer Gordon Ramsay as Chris Jericho tbh 😂

[@wilcee238]

@martophrenia use CG to shrink him like they did Chris Evans when he played Steve Rodgers.

[@ericgilbert56]

I'm so glad that I was alive to see the Monday Night Wars. Because this war has been an embarrassment.

[@labeebulshah8424]

That war killed wrestling

[@Hush_Money2]

This artwork is amazing. Flame Jim Cornette is awesome.😎😎 Congrats to whoever made this.

[@rl318]

The only thing that would make it better would be Cody Rhodes running away from the fire with an extinguisher.

[@AWX_Wrestling]

Sirius Cornette visiting Tony K Potter in the AEW Common Room.

[@cosborne06]

The fact that Tony Khan wants Omega and the Bucks to lecture guys like Punk, Jericho, or Danielson is laughable and just insane. These guys were all top selling guys in the biggest wrestling company on Earth..Danielson main evented a wrestlemania and had one of the most iconic moments in Mania history..I would walk right out the door the minute either Omega or Bucks tried to tell me shit about professional wrestling and business.

[@christian6455]

And wwe would have no problem taking them back

[@zlinedavid]

@@christian6455 I think there might be a little friction between HHH and Punk….lol

[@christian6455]

@@zlinedavid they can sort it out lol

[@Vietmac1993]

​@@christian6455they definitely did

[@GMRay739]

Said it before, will say it again. AEW was a vanity project for the "Elite" (clue is in the name of the company). They started the most well funded indy promotion in history, run by the son of a billionaire and a handful of wannabes with zero understanding of business or wrestling outside of Japan. Cody wanted a real WWE alternative. These guys want to play with their mates

[@jesuszamora6949]

And THIS is why Cody's back in WWE and AEW is in flames. Tony needs to get rid of Omega if he actually wants AEW to be successful and not a vanity project joining CYN over at prowrestlinglive.

[@Ramekink]

It was a mistake not trying to re-build ROH.

[@Kingofkings32211]

Cody and Brandi wanted to be triple h and Stephanie so bad 🤦🏽‍♂️🤣😒

[@thekidfromiowa]

Perhaps Vince wasn't entirely unjustified in keeping certain talent on a short leash. Not all talent can handle responsibility.

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@thekidfromiowa The problem with both Vince and Tony is figuring out WHO to give leeway to, and who not.

[@mattypaul87]

Either Tony needs to put his foot down on a lot of these issues or he needs to hire someone who will. They've lasted 3 years so far, which is one year longer than the AWF so kudos to them. But their sustainability is getting thin here unless they make some changes internally. A company "by the boys for the boys" doesn't work if "the boys" in charge only care about a select few.

[@lodi70005]

A company run by the boys, for the boys could work. However, those boys running it have to be exceptionally well rounded individuals with realistic egos that know the difference between doing what’s best for business or doing what’s best for you. Great players don’t always make for great coaches or managers. In the NFL, most of the coaches that played in the NFL weren’t great players. Many were backup quarterbacks.

[@christopheramaro333]

What in 3 years has shown a high upside projection? Why expect him to suddenly turn this around? Needs to hire out or maybe use Regal in a higher capacity.

[@juliusdaviesd]

@@lodi70005 Good point I think many a time, watching from the field gives you more overall insight, than being a star quarterback!

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@lodi70005 The huge ego is part of why Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest basketball player of the 20th century, is a poor manager. He doesn't listen to people around him because he thinks he knows absolutely everything... Like ol' Harpo and friends.

[@Maverick512000]

@@lodi70005 Not as long as "the boys" are still active and, in the case of AEW, some of the biggest stars. Inevitably one of two things will happen of which we've seen both in AEW. One is they will only want to work with their friends or those they think are better and will book either those people or themselves to win everything or two they will be so worried about it looking like they are booking themselves to win that they will go completely opposite direction like Cody in which case it still doesn't feel natural because fans know they are underbooking themselves. HHH and HBK are doing a great job in WWE but if you had gone back to the 90s or early 2000s and given them the same power it would have been horrible. Its only now after both are removed from the spotlight that they can book things to try and work best for the business as a whole.

[@Ted_Bell]

Tony is the type of dude that uses franchises and things to entertain himself. When I was a kid, one of my friends had a really annoying mom. His dad literally gave her a dance studio he knew she would lose lots of money with, just to keep her happy. That is what the senior Khan is doing here for his son on a greater level. Imagine this dude sitting at the house all day amped up on drugs annoying you with analytics while listening to that yogurt yodeling Meltzer talking about how good Kenny Omega looked wrestling in a thong doing poses from anime. *Edit* This dude was so annoying his father gave him his own house at 7. WOW.

[@ronniejdio9411]

Aew should be a cash cow. If ran like tna with low over head it would make money Hanover fist. Stead theve signed 3xs the number of wrestlers they need. Bought eoh for no reason. And wasted 100 million on a lousy video game

[@Voysh2Voysh69]

@@ronniejdio9411 spellcheck is your best friend. Use it

[@Dreamy_Dawe]

I don't want to imagine any of that.

[@RedakaiCity]

Bro,what you're defining is a "vanity project"...unlike that...Tony has had million dollar houses from AEW PPV's so stop being a WWE shill. Give credit when credit is due. Wrestling should be dead.

[@bls8959]

@@RedakaiCitywhat are you talking about...aew hasn't even turned a profit...Khan has the houses cuz of his daddy

[@eastsidereviews727]

Brian hit the nail on the head with his sports analogy. Best situations in sports are with hands off owners who let their experienced GMs and Coaches run the show, the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat in the NBA are perfect examples of this; stable ownership, great coaching, and smart/competent execs. Tony Khan seems like a decent dude a d means Wells, even with whatever critiques I have, but buddy needs to get someone else to help book the show, the promotions that were made will help a lot, but a good booker or booking committee will be even more valuable. There are only so many hours in the day and with hid own side business, duties with the Jaguars, and the Futbol team, he will burn himself out if he doesn't delegate more responsibilities.

[@anthonyrivera2306]

And Fulham FC is doing better in the Premier League than AEW right now.

[@goldwynn6098]

He's trying to be Vince McMahon when he needs to be Ted Turner.

[@MrRBX]

@@goldwynn6098 nice analogy!

[@jimmyv3170]

@@goldwynn6098 he's kinda both lol

[@Hsteel]

He should hire Bret hart or William regal to be the booker

[@circusbezerkus]

Lmao these coked out eyes illustration of TK will never get old 😂

[@zlinedavid]

One of the more musically inclined Cult of Cornette members needs to do a TK based parody of Buckcherry’s “Lit Up”.

[@benespinosa6725]

LMFAO this Artwork is Absolutely Hilarious Awesome Job Maurice Freeman when Jim Said Kumbaya I got Flashbacks to Stone Cold Steve Austin playing guitar on Raw Before the invasion PPV 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@john_blues]

lol. I remember that.

[@boblocke5593]

What's with all the capital letters? Is it a setting on your phone?

[@john_blues]

@@boblocke5593 No punctuation and a lot of caps. He just accidentally has his keyboard on the 'Tony Khan' setting.

[@mikepelosi9877]

For the past year (or more), there hasn't been a week that's gone by where Jim hasn't said something along the lines of: "It's all gonna go to shit if the status quo remains." And he's taken heat for it. Called outdated. Old. Jealous. Whatever. But no matter what his wrestling taste is, Corny understands the business fundamentals like no other. That stuff doesn't change. Human psychology doesn't change. People, their egos, the fragility of a locker room all stay constant over time no matter who the new guy/girl in charge is. In my view, what Jim and Bryan do very well is read the "balance sheet" of pro wrestling - the fundamentals - much like how a smart investor does no matter what they feel about a stock. And that's why this podcast is awesome.

[@metalheadjake3339]

Jim Cornette is right......AS USUAL

[@Chozin1]

It’s crazy to when he says a match is good , it’s usually a really fuckin good match

[@6ANUR34DT81S]

@Mike Pelosi Amen to that. Those who thought AEW was "above all that" are the ones who are out of touch smh

[@NotaDrDoom]

Jim understands the business like a lot of people do, it's just not one persons decision to run things anymore. I'm not even saying you're wrong I'm just saying it's easy for one guy to look at the decisions of many as foolish when we don't know how those decisions were ever made and who was happy/upset about them.

[@Lolp821]

Cornette lost the plot years ago, he's trying to come across now like he still knows his stuff without saying "It's not wrestling" because it isn't the same as the 70's and 80's. He just bashes everything, gets people commenting stuff like this and my own. I haven't heard him in years, he's worse than he ever was. It's just sad this is what he does after wrestling as a job.

[@metalhead95123]

Brian’s AEW source has gotta be someone close to the inner workings. He has been spot on with almost every prediction he’s made so far, and now I’m just wondering how long until Harpo takes his ball back to New Japan

[@scottdecowski4913]

All time great thumbnail here, hard to beat Travis but this definitely lives up to the Heckle standards

[@Ted_Bell]

By any metric you judge Tony on, he ain't doing well. The Jaguars are a 3 win team last season. 1 win the season before. His soccer (football) team is in rebuilding mode. A E.W ratings been declining year over year. 1.5 million to 400k back and forth to 800k. His product's brand timeline, which is established in the first five years, is almost complete. Analytics and Adderall are his legacy. Just remake Alvin and the chipmunks and have Tony do all the voices.

[@christopheramaro333]

I've been saying that to AEW marks to the tune of crickets.... The Jaguars are ran by these guys. That alone is pause for a loooooooot of concern.

[@johnl1052]

Analytics my friend! Tony Khan has increased the Jaguar's win yield by 300%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@marcusmclean3842]

Fulham are doing the best out of all of them right now tbf lol

[@B8rkley]

His football team (Fulham) is in the best state its been in for near a decade and aren't in rebuilding mode at all, though I don't believe he's really involved, it's his father overseeing that.

[@matthewnewman6039]

Fulham isn't doing bad currently? And AEW has been over 1 mill 3 weeks in a row... what's with the lies?

[@tylerpittman8957]

Crazy how much can change in a year. This time last year, AEW signed Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan, and everyone thought WWE was done 😂

[@dilungmoveityafool777]

WWE was never done, only idiots think that.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

No one with more than two working brain cells thought that, which is to say AEW fans thought that but the rest of the world knew better.

[@hectic105]

@@bipolarminddroppings nobody said that, including AEW fans. People were comparing it a bit to Nash and Hall coming to WCW, but that's it. I think people just saw it as an opportunity to maybe gain a bit of ground. Don't know why there are people who would prefer there to be only one major pro wrestling company with zero competition to keep them on their toes but here we are.

[@j.rivera6402]

@@hectic105 the fact that people compared Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan to Hall and Nash just shows how delusional AEW acolytes are 🤣😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@rleonardgreen78]

@@hectic105 of course they did. Every WWE reject was a game changer that was keeping Vince up at Night and AEW was compietion and all that bullshit. That didn't last long once we saw how awful Khans booking is.

[@davidjsaul]

This is what happens when the boss wants to be everyone's friend and won't make the hard calls.

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

Apparently he doesn’t make any calls. Just lets their contract run out

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

It's a diverse and inclusive ecology of high conflict entertainers

[@Lolp821]

He suspended them all, so sounds like he did make the hard calls. Online wrestling fans are the worst, the absolute worst. Haven't seen what fans say online in a long time, I don't regret just watching wrestling without reading all the garbage.

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

@@Lolp821 too bad AEW isn’t wrestling

[@tomchorley2116]

TK reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Flanders ends up as the principal and all the kids go wild and he sees nothing wrong with it.

[@bootneyfarnsworth2844]

Just imagine if Jim didn't have an NDA. The things that he could say. I mean he already says a lot of things now, but imagine him without any restrictions

[@dragula131]

Y'know those are actually really easy to get out of. I'm sure Stephen P. New could find him a loophole or an out if he really wanted to go that route

[@edutainme7265]

Back after CM Punk's WWE debut just to say that Jim is psychic, and this video is proof.

[@Will_kid_cortez]

He should demote all those VPs. And just have another partner helping him out

[@royalty843]

@@charlesthoreson4162 he demoted Cody when he was there last i checked.

[@anthonyrousseau8050]

@@royalty843 And that was his first mistake: he demoted the only guy that was genuinely trying to help him. Should've demoted Omega and the Bucks instead because they're half the reason AEW is sinking.

[@phantomdriver2010]

Brian is absolutly right on Kingston I don't think he was mad about being called fat, he was mad at the constant disrespect and apprent arrogance Sammy has had. The insult just pushed Eddie over the edge and I don't blame him

[@seanmorgan9020]

Can't wait for Sammy to "lose his smile".

[@Guy4318]

Bingo. Punk and Kingston dueled in part over this and it was electric. Disco brings it up and Eddie goes straight for the throat instead of boo hoo-ing about fat shaming. Sammy just sucks at promos and already has an overlarge ego, so it was likely one mishandled bit too many. And sweet criminey, I have no idea how this could be done safely, but someone needs to kayfabe "Oldboy" Sammy's tongue.

[@shawn2641]

The honeymoon period is over. The public will no longer accept bad wrestling because it isn't WWE. They need to deliver at All Out or its over imo

[@jesuszamora6949]

I think the only thing that extended the honeymoon for as long as it had was the fact that both brands were bad wrestling. With people turning their opinion of the E around as HHH starts building something that is rebounding in the ratings, there has to be some serious improvement. Vince is gone, and Tony needs to adjust his strategy accordingly.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

They’ll be around at least through their current TV deal. But it will be interesting to see what their long term future is once they go to negotiate a new deal. Primarily I think they’re in real danger due to the WB Discovery deal. Previous management at the network was all about them, giving them an extension and added show three months after their show debuted. Now they’re going to be approaching a negotiation without their audience growing with management at the network who has said they’re cutting $3B. Honestly it seems their best case scenario would be keeping what they have. But if a deal doesn’t work out it’s hard to think what would happen because they can’t really find a better network to be on.

[@PatrickMaliha]

Listening to this a year later and realizing that it could have been done yesterday. It could have been done yesterday and it wouldn’t sound off or out of place in any way whatsoever.

[@The_Kiosk]

If Tony had given Cody what he wanted this wouldn't be a thing. Cody as GM and lead booker with Arn or Dustin as head coach would have stood a chance. I'm a fan and this is a big oof for TK.

[@ronniejdio9411]

Khan backed the wrong side of the elite ...it was a mistake

[@Sky_Blaze]

How can you even be a fan of this dumpster fire..we all want anted aew to be successful but TK has no clue and you die hards need to be calling for his head it's the only way

[@HossBonaventureCEO]

LMFAO You know Cody was booking his and Brandi's stuff right? All the garbage storylines and Brandi flip flopping every week was all Cody. Why do you think Tony took Cody's booking privileges away?

[@rleonardgreen78]

@@HossBonaventureCEO Cody did his job. He put over every new Talent Khan brought in and Khan is showing that he can't book any better.

[@ronniejdio9411]

@@Sky_Blaze the last two weeks are proof bucks and omega are helping book and its trash. It's fucking trash

[@richardpreston7333]

All I can think of when I hear all this about AEW treading water backstage is "... ffs, William Regal's right there - let him be the guy nobody likes because he tells the bratty indie darlings to grow the hell up" As for letting the other person know what is and isn't kosher to say in a promo... I dunno. I wouldn't have it be an official thing, but I can see the value in having it be a thing, especially these days. We can scoff at the concept, but then you have to remember that time Paige mentioned Charlotte Flair's dead brother in a promo on Raw.

[@itsnotfunny92]

The last time i was this early, AEW was still "all friends wrestling" Hah how the turns have tabled

[@michaelbreen7865]

I can honestly say that, in 2023, that drawing of Tony "Twitter Fingers" Khan in a burning room is looking a little more accurate.

[@randolphdefreese7874]

I doubt Sammy knows who Ernie Ladd is.

[@DannyBoy426]

LMFAOOOOOOO

[@Riese79]

Soon on KZbin : AEW Kindergarden Dark

[@mitchellalexander9162]

"The biggest threat AEW has is if Tony Khan just doesn't wanna run it anymore" -Technical WorkRate Productions; commenting on the possibility of Sasha Banks going to AEW and coming for CM Punk's Mega Push over there and what that would do with her Big Damn ego.

[@actuallynotsteve]

This artwork is a classic, goddamn. It's not Travis, but Maurice FreeMAN killed it with this one.

[@TheTalk23]

I am not surprised with the curses and the middle finger thing. Just because you are tv-14 doesn't mean you have to do that all the time. Guys on raw dispite being pg will curse every now and then when it makes sense. Guys and girls in aew just do it for fun.

[@ZeusTheTornado]

@PatrickBateman215 *Every now and then*

[@darrensummers5052]

Even Hunter said in his book if you rip the guy your fighting and call them say a weak, useless and a nobody etc. when you win who have you beat? A weak, useless nobody and makes the win meaningless. When mankind “morphed” into cactus jack hunter sold it like he’d just come face to face with his worst nightmare and then went on to have one of his best matches at rumble 2000.

[@jimmyv3170]

The sad thing is that's exactly what HHH did on RAW for 2002-2004 lol

[@acotbc]

I haven't read HHH's book, but Mick Foley said the exact same thing in either his first book or his second.

[@darrensummers5052]

@@jimmyv3170 he was on top by then and officially in line to the throne so he clearly didn’t care 😂

[@anonymousbo0318]

I thought Jericho said that? Not that he's been listing to that advice lately

[@darrensummers5052]

@@anonymousbo0318 a few guys have said it over the years but seems some of them just forget when they’re on top.

[@jesusabueno1701]

Disco got punked by a 500 pound big show. Kingston got punked by a middle school looking dude. Lmao

[@cornelioust2165]

Yea huge difference he's a fake tough guy too lazy too change his body and or gimmick

[@xSuperiorManx]

Aaahhhh, the good old "THIS IS FINE"-meme as the artwork. :)

[@MR-tu9dj]

I really tried to get into AEW and they had me for a while with CM Punk and MJF. But I lost interest months ago. Such a poorly booked and mismanaged product.

[@ronniejdio9411]

When they took mjf off TV for 3 months theyllst the plot. Not sure they can get it back

[@Hsteel]

Yea what happen to MJF? I thought it was a work when he left...but it's been too long since he has been of t.v for it to make sense.

[@1digidude]

@@Hsteel correct me if im wrong bu I guess people are rationalizing that if they brought him back too soon it would hurt the storyline like Punk in 2011 (if his pipebomb was a work). I just dont understand blacking out your biggest draw during a time when Punk, Cody, Bryan, Omega, and Cole were all out. I was ready for the summer of MJF this year and stopped watching in June. If it isnt a work and a real money dispute, wouldn't you want to pay your biggest star and get him on tv? If they bring him back soon im sure they will get a good reaction but I cant help but be cynical that it wont be as big as it could have been.They really dropped the ball.

[@Hsteel]

@@1digidude this is true☝️

[@shredda3165]

Dustin Rhodes needs to be that guy with the foot down that all the wrestlers have to go to express whatever to whoever...hes got the respect and the knowledge, not saying he should run things but he needs to be that guy between the wrestlers and the management...Rhodes needs to be the mouthpiece/mediator back n forth

[@asiimwemwamwenda789]

I highly doubt the EVPs will take instructions from him, or anyone for that matter.

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@asiimwemwamwenda789 Yep. AEW has Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Steve Regal and JIM FUCKING ROSS, and none of those people are being listened to. If they won't listen to THOSE people, they're not listening to Dustin.

[@woody72691]

low and behold, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes are in WWE again. RATINGS

[@mike7683]

Im sure more will follow them

[@michaelbreen7865]

@@mike7683 Some sooner than others, maybe.

[@ck_idgaf1680]

AEW NEVER had momentum over WWE. That was something the internet marks and youtubers made up. Vince kept them in there place, he knew how it was going to be and he knew folks would think the grass was greener, only to find out it wasn't. That's what I loved about it, Vince was killing them when folks said he wasn't even able to. LETS BE HONEST, all the guys who got released or left, are LUCKY HHH got put in control. They would be suffering on the indy scene and/or AEW. HHH is just trying to put the nail in the coffin. HHH is just a new extension of Vince. People are crazy thinking Vince isn't laughing now.

[@subxzero10000]

They had buzz because tony khan can advertise it but you’re right the second I actually saw the show I did not continue watching it’s a joke

[@Sky_Blaze]

They both suck screw Vince and Tony stop defending one over the other and realize wrestling is just garbage and has been for a long time

[@rizkyanandita8227]

Vince isn't laughing cause he doesn't care about AEW. NJPW, maybe.

[@solidoperative]

I love the story at 16:00. Shows how fair Jim is.

[@SamsarasArt]

A lot can change in a month... WWE has been improving and backstage morale is way up and AEW is in a state of chaos. It's a complete role reversal and it's kinda surreal to see unfold. 2022 has been a weird fucking year for professional wrestling.

[@ronniejdio9411]

It's insane.. the billionaire who refuses to lay off talent or cut ppl is losing tje reigns of his show and struggling with morale. The company who has fired 168 wrestlers during the pandemic and run 2 main females off just had ita founder retire in disgrace due to sexual misconduct allegations and the press for said misconduct has only helped the companies ratings and morale

[@rleonardgreen78]

AEW has been in chaos for a while every since Cody left, the dirtsheets just refused to acknowledge it.

[@SamsarasArt]

@@rleonardgreen78 that is true but it seems to have escalated a great deal in the last few weeks.

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@rleonardgreen78 The reason the dirtsheets are admitting it now is because it's boiling over. To deny it NOW would make you the target of relentless ridicule. You know it's bad when DAVE MELTZER can spare a minute from sucking Kenny Omega off to acknowledge it.

[@dutchvanderlinde3635]

Wait another 1-2 years, until control freak HHH will f*ck up and burry some fan favorite wrestler. Or until the corporates decides which Superstars will be fired next. There is literally no chance that this high morale will last very long

[@metalheadjake3339]

For years, I was saying that I would love to see a hardcore IWC fan start up their own wrestling promotion and make it a promotion that gives everything the hardcore fans want: just to see it crumble and see the hardcore fan fail Looks like it is happening. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@madmanwebster94]

Quite literally over a year later and the bad language is still very much present along with the blood and the ridiculousness and the bad booking. Clearly Warner Bros Discovery didn't care that much.

[@michaelbreen7865]

They probably gave up caring and started focusing on more cooperative products.

[@Him_Downstairs36]

Tony got caught up in trying to prove they he was better than Vince. Vince knew when to put the hammer down. Also, he wasn’t the locker room leader. Taker and then Cena kept the boys in line.

[@williamgregory1848]

Vince may have been a crazy lunatic, but at least he knew how to be a leader. Tony is acting like one of the boys and needs to act like a leader cause he’s being played like a chump.

[@knection1986]

I'm highly convinced Cody was the guy that put out fires because there is none of that going on now.

[@richardcoreno]

Just look on how the "Sacksonville" Jaguars fell apart due to locker room turmoil --- AEW is slowly stumbling toward that pit.

[@anthonyrousseau8050]

They should move the Jaguars to St-Louis.

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@anthonyrousseau8050 Not sure that would help, unless they were sold to a new ownership group. Tony just doesn't have the talent or temperament to run a large organization.

[@WyattHolliday]

I agree with all this, but I just have to say, that might be the best non-Travis thumbnail yet.

[@LobsterRavioli]

Everything MJF said on his last promo, could have summed up everything AEW needs to fix. They could have played that promo, and did everything he said. Problem would then be solved.

[@christopheramaro333]

Ehhhhhyup

[@christian6455]

The young guys pretending to watch NJPW need to stop too

[@ukgraffitiwalker8846]

I struggle to remember hardly any decent aew matches in the past 3 years, I just remember the botches. If it's not gymnastics, it's people copying old greats, but without the creative build-up or meaning 👍

[@jamaalmoses8821]

King Kong Kingston. He should do a five count after his spinning backfist.

[@mbellamy19]

As Corny has pointed out before, you shouldn't be in the wrestling business if you don't want your feelings hurt. Keep doing your thing Punk cause you are god dam entertaining right now. I just really hope that this whole MJF situation gets resolved because at this point, I don't know what to think right now, work or not.

[@PiCheZvara]

I worked for two big companies. One was run by firm, strong man, similar to Vince. That company had its troubles and ultimately kinda fell apart, but the leadership was strong, the issues were somewhere else. But when the company was at its peak, it was literally one of the top companies in the country in its area (won't write specifics). Second was run by two escapees from the first. Both of them industrious, really smart, but neither a firm, strong man who can slam his fist and retain order and both trying to act like they're much better than the former company. It's still functioning, but it's nowhere near being among the top companies although the ambition was there and it's become a total insane asylum. It's just a collection of talented or good people with no clear direction, or path, with egos running rampant, and with many people having different ideas and visions for the company, which of course in the end all boil down to "I'm on top". It's just a nightmare to work there. Several good or talented people left these past few years, several others will, it's the first company I work for where I think it's past the point of saving and it will ultimately crumble. The first one was IMO redeemable, but no one took charge of it and then it was too late, but it truly was no. 1 at one point and you could feel it. And this second one is...IDK, just a bunch of talented but a bit too confident blowhards who fucked everything up before they even properly established themselves and the sad and worst thing is they all want to pretend this is not the case and they're pushing forward, but it's just a tiring, exhausting kinda aimless experience. And just like AEW, the response to problems was establishing pointless systemic stuff like a PR department when the company had other issues and really, the problem was with the bosses. And the worst thing was not addressing clear issues and problems between certain people (including myself, I'm a culprit too I admit) and making a clear decision on who is who in the hierarchy, that's where it all fell apart. Just incompetent weak leadership. So when I see AEW now, see the messy, weird build-up for All Out, the whole mess with ROH, I'm thinking of my own experience and I'm thinking just like Corny that it was obvious from very early on TK doesn't have firm control and it was only a matter of time before it falls apart. I mean announcing a fucking PPV main event 4 days before the show? On a 14 match card? Jeez. I think we're just at the beginning of shit getting really bad in AEW and just like all the chest puffing caught up with my bosses, all the "best place ever" shit will catch up with AEW too. And it will be similar to TNA and WCW and within 2 years, mark my words, AEW will be half at best of what it is now. No 140 wrestler roster, nothing like that. The downfall has begun.

[@coreyhall1150]

I ain't readin all that shit. Say what you gotta say and make it brief.......

[@patrickdaughdrill9326]

Only reason AEW had momentum was because wrestling fans were rooting for them, but fans have also always rooted for WWE. The fans are always going to root for all companies because we lost WCW, ECW, TNA, and ROH, and we don't want to lose anymore.

[@SuperNitroZ64]

To be fair, the latter two are still alive and kicking (albeit, with TNA (now known as IMPACT! Wrestling) being a shell of its former self), but I get what you're saying.

[@Oxmen33]

"Tony Khan needs a Vince McMahon" I mean, he's available.

[@mrmagpiepromotions]

Tony is involved with Fulham FC, they have a star player called Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is a 6ft1 musclebound Serbian man who looks like an 80's pro wrestler lol

[@JUYAN16]

Haha! I like the meme reference the artist did. It'd be cool if Jim got Lawler to be a guest artist on the show. Jerry is a really good artist.

[@lilachie]

I really want aew to succeed, if it fails wrestlers will have fewer chances of making good money in the industry

[@anthonyrousseau8050]

If AEW fails, quality control will be back in the industry. The worst thing about the former is that they made people believe anyone can be a wrestler, devaluing the sport in their stupid attempt to be inclusive. TRUE wrestlers are like superheroes; they're exceptional beings capable of feats no ordinary people can do. And that's why we watch them.

[@jesuszamora6949]

Few people outside of the most diehard WWE fanboys want AEW to fail. Jim would probably rather Tony LISTENED and was able to turn things around. At the risk of being inappropriate, it's kinda like Sunny - Everyone wanted her to turn things around too, but she never did, and here we are.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

I want them to succeed but it’s annoying how they’ve refused to change up or appeal to a more widespread audience. They seem set in their ways to always be a big combo of ROH and New Japan. And in a sense they’re doing well because they’ve kept an audience that performs well in the demo weekly. And another aspect they’ve done really well in is having their fanbase actually buy their PPVs. Every PPV they’ve done has been over 100K buys, which translates to roughly 10% of their TV audience shelling out for it. It’s an interesting stat when you think of a company like TNA, who were averaging 2M some viewers at their peak but never translated that into PPV buys. I believe the highest selling TNA PPV was around 60K buys and they averaged in the 10K-20K range. It almost seems indicative that how they handle their show only appeals to their loyal fanbase and as a result they really seem to capitalize on those fans. But it’s concerning they haven’t ever grown, especially factoring their new network owners who are adamant about cutting costs. It’ll certainly be interesting to follow. For what it’s worth I’m rooting for them.

[@bigroaststyrone8135]

@@Matt-cr4vv honestly it seems to me that if AEW continue the way they’ve always been running things, they’re gonna plateau and eventually die off, catering to the hardcore smarks and wrestling fans isn’t a good strategy if you’re trying to build a major promotion

[@juliandavidhoffer2022]

I wonder if he’s still happy to be the “longest tendered CEO in wrestling”

[@ronniejdio9411]

I guess Billy corgin doesn't count

[@drillosophy1012]

Lol

[@abealih92]

Billy Corgon and Court Bauer say hi!

[@daddyrare]

..Can we have a wrestling promotion where the owners stay behind the scenes?

[@MattKeller]

Most people start their own company for the very reason that they think they can do better...so that's probably not going to happen

[@jasonkraatz9574]

Tony should have made guys like Mark Henry and Big Show as EVP’s. They aren’t out for themselves and they also won’t take crap from any of the talent.

[@Ryw316]

Yeah, definitely would've been a better idea to make people who aren't going to be used as in-ring talent management to prevent any conflicts of interest. Obviously it worked back in the territory days, but those where generally actual adult men who could see the big picture. Finger Bang and the kids ain't it.

[@Davehhhh]

This artwork is amazing!

[@Carpet_Stainer]

Why does TK look like Spike Spiegel?

[@TheeeMYSTERY]

A Spike that survived with brain damage from doing futuristic 2070 pills and meth

[@charleswilson4526]

There a clip of Joey Janela interviewed by Chris Van Vilet, in which he talks about staying up until 7 am doing tequila shots… That’s not what you want the head of a wrestling company to be doing 😆

[@thebearjewismyhero21]

So we can all agree when this is all over …. No matter what we can still count on impact to survive on the left overs 😂

[@ajstyyled4560]

Honestly, the worst thing to happen to AEW and TK, was Vince retiring. Up until now, 3/4 of AEW programming, from the gimmicks, to the promos, is “WWE is the bad place!!!”…. Well with HHH in charge, the good will of the fans for WWE is probably the highest it’s been in a decade. HHH took away TKs favorite toy… now it’s up to TK to prove that wasn’t his only toy.

[@jamesstewart8377]

The bank addicted drug robber never gets old.

[@erokraider1690]

The way they tried to fix the What The Punk episode last night was even more eye rolling. 😂

[@jonathangraham2415]

I switched it off right after that.

[@ExpressDunlop]

Everybody saw this coming. Too many people and too many different people from different background. Now TK can't deal with that due to is ''character'' he's not able to be strict and don't want to. Kingston beat up Sammy got two weeks suspension. He's going to continue after this for sure.

[@ronniejdio9411]

Also. No sammi vs Eddie match at the ppv. Man I'd have sat them down and made them do business. If khan can't...what's he even doing

[@ExpressDunlop]

@@ronniejdio9411 Agree so many thing he aint doing right

[@DP-um1ck]

Tony should pull a Late 90s Vince McMahon and try to market the backstage drama. Pretend all the actual beef is a work by making it a live event. "AEW Civil War" It has this big 60-man Battle Royal Match as its main event. Where: - the Young Bucks get eliminated and then screw over FTR out of spite - Eddie Kingston eliminates both Moxley and Claudio. But then gets thrown out by Sammy Guevara when his back is turned - Jericho's own appreciation society tosses him out - Wardlow sets the first record for eliminating 30 people - And MJF makes a surprise return as entrant number 60. Throwing out Omega. Stealing the win in a lucky way. And then gloating about it for the next 4 months.

[@paulsmith9192]

Male version of Dixie carter.he wants to be friends and not a boss.

[@troystaunton254]

@Jeff Dixie was really friendly. I wish I had female friends like her.

[@coreyouellette2791]

That thumbnail art is BRILLIANT! And so accurate! Lol

[@luposapien4720]

Few bigger marks today than the wrestlers themselves

[@hoomanmusic]

You nailed it

[@SimonCowie86]

@JimCornette In Football/Soccer Most teams have a transfer committee to sign new players. Unfortunately the role of director of football of Fulham was Tony Kahn

[@VegetabIeMan]

You know it’s bad when even Nash is willing to say AEW now is equivalent to WCW Thunder.

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

I was thinking just this morning that Corny was going to cover Tony and all I hoped was the new artwork would keep the eyes, and it didn't disappoint!

[@adanmizura]

Viable claims by Corny, AEW is definitely following the same precedent as WCW and TNA regarding the leadership, creative, and locker room morale. Can’t wait for the dark side of the ring episode regarding the rise and fall of aew!

[@marlonmontelhiggins8570]

That'd be years down the line, considering that episodes of that are still being made by then.

[@kingslayer2999]

Rise and Fall of AEW seriously I need to ask What Rise ? 😂🤣😂

[@misterx6276]

Coming in 2024, after AEW is bought out for pennies on the dollar of what it's worth. So that's literally several thousand pennies.

[@Hsteel]

Tony khan is the male version of Dixie Carter lol

[@adanmizura]

@@kingslayer2999 address that to Tony khan, hardlys, and jazz hands Olivier! They seem to believe it 🤣😂

[@harrydavid8333]

To clarify, Tony Khan is also the director of football at Fulham. Which I believe is the equivalent of a GM.

[@megsley]

this art is incredible 😂 even the flaming cornette face in the bottom right!!

[@antwilder]

It's the elite vs aew originals vs the ex wwe guys vs the Indy guys vs the contracts vs tv time

[@banntaylor7323]

It's not a big problem because the mighty leader Kenny Omega is back there to hold the company together lmfaooooo

[@bls8959]

Lol omega sux and so does punk....Jim sounds like meltzer gushing about punk

[@DrThrax009]

😂

[@JuanRivera_86]

This art is giving me beavis and butthead vibes. Especially with the recent new episode where there is a fire in a dumpster telling beavis stupid things to do

[@Rolbell]

Huge Travis fan, but mad props to the artist here. Amazing!

[@RationalGaze.BingChillin]

Def prefer Travis. His art synergizes better with the audio content

[@matthewhostetter8974]

Tony Khan has the biggest collection of man-children with massive egos in the wrestling world and thinks everything is sunshine in rainbows. This was only a matter of time. They like Jericho, Omega, the Hardlys, and Moxley. Are going to clash with the egos of Punk. Everyone of them thinks they belong in the spotlight and as champions. I love that all of this is falling apart around Tony Khan and all it took was Vince leaving.

[@Charion-50]

I know AEW is like a dream come true for Tony to run a wrestling world but WWE had a resurgence thanks to Triple H so he needs to start putting his foot down to step his game up and hire people to help the business so he doesn't have to manage everything. If it helps the business then you got to do what you can to improve the product even if you have to disappoint some people.

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

His management style is the same as modern parenting.

[@Ai14106]

Honestly AEW Civil War sounds like a better name than Fight Forever. And on the Playstation store for the game a screenshot still includes Cody in it

[@jjevans78]

Need an AEW drama omnibus for Xmas.

[@mcwhorter141mcwhorter8]

Disco is right about guys having pride and looking like athletes I'll give him that much.