Latest / Real. Guy. Pods. / WWE & AEW Crown New World Champions — But Who Made the Smarter Move? | The Still Real to Us Show | Episode #856 – 7/9/26

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WWE & AEW Crown New World Champions — But Who Made the Smarter Move? | The Still Real to Us Show | Episode #856 – 7/9/26 · Real. Guy. Pods.

• 1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,720 It's still really a bit damaged in it! 2 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:11,720 [Music] 3 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:12,960 What now we love! 4 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:16,960 Ooh, welcome everybody! 5 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,240 Welcome to this week's "Disturder of the Show" 6 00:00:20,240 --> 00:00:23,760 episode of "Energy" for July 9th, 2026. 7 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:28,640 Welcome to this week's edition of "SRTU". 8 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,360 I am one after the show "I Am Jeff Peck". 9 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:35,120 We joined every single week for my close to one of Dr. Trent Franklin. 10 00:00:35,120 --> 00:00:39,920 Dr. Trey, we live in a world where both the WWE and AW World Championships 11 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:44,240 change hand within 48 hours of the same week by friend. 12 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:48,080 Yeah, and it's not anybody new. 13 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:50,720 We're kind of going back to the well. 14 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:55,200 It has since with both guys. So both companies promise 15 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:58,560 building younger stars, building new talents. 16 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:03,360 Yet, they're champions, our guys who have been around their company for a very, very, very long time. 17 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:09,040 Yeah, it's been an interesting couple of hours, or excuse me days, I should say. 18 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:12,160 As we sit here record the show on Thursday night, 19 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,320 we have a new Undisputed WWE Champion in CM Punk. 20 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:21,040 We have an AW World Champion in Kenny Omega. 21 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:26,560 To be fair, Dr. Trey, I think you and I both felt that Kenny Omega had a good chance 22 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:28,000 of winning the championship this week. 23 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,760 I don't think any of us had CM Punk on our bingo card as someone that would become 24 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:36,640 the Undisputed WWE Champion as you and I sat here the following week. 25 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:42,080 And maybe that was our fault because like we discussed the Kenny Omega sub last week. 26 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:46,640 We're like, "Oh, if they were doing it in Canada, that would make a ton of sense." 27 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:50,640 You know, we didn't really look to see what town Raw was in. 28 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,080 And what did line up that would just happen to be in Chicago. 29 00:01:54,080 --> 00:02:03,680 So, yeah, but also the CM Punk being on SmackDown and challenging for that title was on our bingo card, 30 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,080 just further down the line. 31 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:10,640 But yeah, that was a completely surprising result. 32 00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:14,560 The Omega was, I don't want to say surprising. 33 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:18,240 I don't want to say expected. It was somewhere in the middle. 34 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,440 "Ha, alright, that's where they're headed." 35 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:22,240 Okay, let's go. 36 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:29,920 Yeah, you know, what was funny is I had a feeling, so obviously new Chicago Raw, all that stuff, 37 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:33,440 and the rumors were, Punk was going to be there. 38 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:40,240 I had known that, but my vibe was Dr. Trey that I really hoped that 39 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:46,320 the CM E's aim would retain against Cody Rhodes on Raw and somehow Punk gets involved and 40 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:49,680 we get set up a match for SummerSlam with, say, the three of them. 41 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:54,640 And that's the storyline moving forward where it felt like they wanted to go to Cody Punk 42 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:59,280 Row. Instead, we get, you know, CM E's aim thrown in there. 43 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,920 However, I mean, Kudos to WWE, right? 44 00:03:01,920 --> 00:03:08,960 I think if you are in any other city, in any other town, in any other state, in the United States, 45 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:12,960 I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think that result gets heavily booted. 46 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:17,920 I'm a huge CM Punk fan. I'm a huge Sami Zayn fan. 47 00:03:17,920 --> 00:03:22,160 We made the case on last week's show that we really wanted to see Sami Zayn hold the 48 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,440 Undisputed WWE Championship for a long time, or at least a decent amount of time. 49 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:33,760 Nine days, I don't love the move. It screams old school Vince McMahon booking. 50 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:41,200 It screams from an outsider looking in TKL pushing CM Punk. It screams, you know, the classic 51 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:46,080 transitional champion of Sami Zayn because they don't want Cody to drop the title of the punk. 52 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,400 They want punk to be champion. This is the best way they do it. 53 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:55,120 And you leverage somebody who is extremely talented, hardworking, and people were so happy, 54 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:58,240 had an opportunity to become the WWE champion in CM Punk. 55 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,240 Excuse me in Sammy Zane and then that happens 56 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:06,060 You know, I know a lot of people calling punk a hypocrite in the last couple of days this is you know 57 00:04:06,060 --> 00:04:08,340 Revenessing of how punk was booked in 58 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:12,960 2010 11 when he became World champion and they had to get the title off of him 59 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,580 It sucks. It really sucks 60 00:04:15,580 --> 00:04:22,920 Again, I never thought I'd be saying that with a CM Punk Rural title rain as a fan of CM Punk but this just 61 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:27,720 It's it's not my favorite style of booking doctor trey. I 62 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:31,160 Would have liked to see in Sammy and Cody play out 63 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,200 have punk or come through get involved and 64 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:38,080 Maybe that sets up a triple threat like I just pitched or even fatal for way 65 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:39,640 instead 66 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:43,760 We we get punk is the new undisputed WWE champion and I'm fearful that 67 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,320 We're going to summer slam and it's not gonna be punk Sammy Cody 68 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:52,820 It's gonna be punk versus Cody and I'm really intrigued to see how the fans react to this 69 00:04:52,820 --> 00:04:56,880 I'm Friday night Smackdown because I think a lot of people were very excited for Sammy's aim 70 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:02,280 So we I don't know how you feel that tray. I may be in the minority this entire thing 71 00:05:02,280 --> 00:05:06,560 Based on crowd reactions on Friday nights Smackdown or your all overall thoughts 72 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:10,160 But I truly hope that fans kind of shit on this a little bit 73 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:17,480 I really do because I think Sammy deserved more than a nine day title rain and an opportunity just to be a transitional champion 74 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:23,520 Yeah, I mean in part is you and I 75 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,320 are you 76 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:34,880 God say my son is named after him so being a huge fantasy of his aim it absolutely 77 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:44,400 Something we've seen him talk about chase for a very very long time 78 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:49,520 What was what was I'm like oh for 13 in world title matches? 79 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,120 Oh for 10. Yeah, do that triple threat match 80 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:56,280 Over 10 so I mean it was one thing you're like oh my god 81 00:05:56,280 --> 00:06:01,440 The you know it's kind of like Steve Young wins through both I got them the Joe Montana monkey off his bat 82 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,160 He got a chance to say he's world champion 83 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,880 The nine day part sucks because we are fans of Sammy's aim 84 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,600 But if we were to say let's say that wasn't Sammy's aim in that match 85 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,720 It was Gunther Cody and Drew McIntyre 86 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:18,560 And Drew McIntyre wins the match and see him punk 87 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:23,760 Shows up nine days later and takes the belt off them. Are we still bitching? 88 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,760 You know if it was somebody who has already established? 89 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:34,400 Are we still complaining about the booking of that angle and and that's where you kind of go? 90 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:39,640 Is it more the booking or was it just who was involved and for me? 91 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:47,440 I think I'm more pissed because of who was involved in it more than the actual booking of that angle 92 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:55,200 So to speak if it been somebody else who already had to been established as a former world champion or had that credibility or 93 00:06:55,200 --> 00:07:00,360 Whatever it was making that a scent from upper mid card to main event 94 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:06,280 I don't know if I be as pissed. I like if it was LA night. I'd still probably be pissed 95 00:07:06,280 --> 00:07:09,040 But maybe not as much as I am with Sam 96 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,600 But if it was a J. O'Soo 97 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:20,400 Would I be pissed if J was in that triple for a match in E1 and punk takes him out nine days later becomes champion 98 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:25,480 Are we still pissed about it at this point? I guess it would be a pretty relevant question 99 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,480 No, I mean you're spot on. I mean has everything to do with who was involved? 100 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:38,800 Not the creative. I mean I do feel like probably a decent part of the roster. I would be 101 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:43,680 Still kind of pissed off about that they made this move because I don't 102 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:53,040 What happens with Sammy Zane from this point forward now in the next three to six months is gonna be really really telling it important 103 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:55,440 if he's booked 104 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:59,640 Where he's pissed off rightfully so and he's involved in the summer slam match? 105 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:06,400 I'm I'm in but all the reports are saying that it's penciled in pumpkin roads and if that's the direction they go 106 00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:13,200 How do we get there and why is Sammy Zane treated like crap right there is certainly? 107 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,480 Good that can come out of this for Sammy Zane 108 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:22,640 I mean we saw with punk when his short title reigns happened they eventually turned him heel and he was great 109 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:25,800 It was a good run, but I don't like that 110 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,480 Daniel Bryan CM Punk Ray Mysterio 111 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,640 Sammy Zane style of booking 112 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:38,200 Where these guys can be throwaway champions in 10 days 20 days 30 days 60 days 113 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:46,160 Just to put over the established talent because we're heading into a big PLA and we need to get that marquee matchup that to me and 114 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:51,040 You know it goes against like everything that I always say on the show where 115 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:58,280 But I think you brought up a great point. It's two things. It's the person. It's the individual involved and it's the creative if I if I look at the individual 116 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:01,480 I'm pissed off with Sammy Zane. I don't think he deserves to be transitional champion 117 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,480 I think he deserved a little bit more run with the title than what we've seen 118 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:07,680 But when I look at the creative side of things that that part of me always says 119 00:09:07,680 --> 00:09:12,760 Well, let's wait. Let's just see how this plays out and there is part of me that still feels that way 120 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:16,000 But in the knee jerk reaction 72 hours following Monday night Raw 121 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:21,760 Recording this podcast we obviously haven't seen what's going on smack down this weekend and everything moving forward towards Summerslam 122 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:26,840 You know the creative end of it. I would say let's let it breathe and see what happens 123 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:32,960 But the knee jerk is yeah, I'm I'm pissed off. I'm irritated and how Sammy 124 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:41,480 It's funny because how he comes out of this is going to be very very very telling and the crowd reaction the crowd reaction on Smackdown 125 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:47,880 It's gonna be very telling again. I smart move and play by WWE Dr. Shri by putting the title on punk in Chicago 126 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:54,040 Yeah, I was gonna say what you know in in theory what I am hoping for is 127 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:57,360 If you remember the Becky Lynch Charlotte 128 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:04,640 Flair were Becky turned on Charlotte and supposedly turned heal but the crowd cheer yeah, yeah 129 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:08,800 If we get something like that. I mean that could launch Sammy into 130 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,480 Becky Lynch the man 131 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:13,680 type category level of 132 00:10:13,680 --> 00:10:16,080 Fam populace where people go oh crap 133 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:19,480 He really is the last good guy. This is the guy 134 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:26,360 That has been crapped on and crapped on and crapped on and take an advantage of and that's our guy 135 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:33,480 It's a little bit of the Daniel Bryan. Yes movement. You know, it could play off like that if done correctly 136 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:35,960 Otherwise, but if we say Sammy 137 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:43,320 Sliding back into like okay, he's the next guy who's challenging trick again and he's back into the mid cover. We're like 138 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:46,280 That's a Dolph Ziggler run 139 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:52,240 You know, that's like okay. Yeah, okay. You got that you got it on your resume that you were a world champion 140 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:59,760 But in reality, you're just a really good and that we need to help with or yeah, and and that's the thing and that's what what is 141 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:05,960 You know scared about the entire thing, but there is this could be the best worst thing to happen to say Sam 142 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:06,800 insane 143 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:12,560 So far the nights back down is I'm gonna be watching very very closely to see how the punk reaction is 144 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:18,240 How the sammysane reaction is the entire thing how the Cody Rhodes reaction is and then more importantly 145 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:24,560 What's this road look like heading in summer slam? I tend to believe the way things that they are going right now 146 00:11:24,560 --> 00:11:29,240 They're gonna want to announce the undisputed WWE Championship match sooner rather than later 147 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:31,680 So I would not be shocked by the time we sit here next week 148 00:11:31,680 --> 00:11:35,040 We know what that match is because we've got over Brock. We've got Reigns 149 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:39,440 Rollins and we've got Liv and EO. I think they want to get that fourth match in there 150 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:46,680 I don't think this carries over 10 days from now on smack down to have a follow-up of who'll be challenging punk in Minneapolis, Minnesota 151 00:11:46,680 --> 00:11:51,760 The other side of this entire thing dr. Trey obviously is the AW world championship changing hands 152 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:58,600 Kenny Omega defeats MJF at beach break, which was a really solid show really enjoyable show great match 153 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:03,040 Clearly Kenny still has it you know, we talked about it last week show 154 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:07,280 The vibes were that we were gonna get a title map. We're gonna get a title change 155 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:09,880 It just felt like the story was 156 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,880 bigger 157 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:13,240 for 158 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:15,240 Omega versus Osprey than MJF 159 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:19,000 I do feel like they kind of showed their hand a little bit more and 160 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:26,360 For them to do it so soon from not doing it in Canada the home country of Kenny Omega made me think like okay 161 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,160 What's going on with MJF? Is he being pulled off TV for some sort of movie or whatever? 162 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:35,320 But really enjoyable match out to Trey and unlike the title change in WWE 163 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:42,240 I know issues with it. I think Osprey Omega all in like that's that's pretty big deal where it this could be the 164 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:46,880 eventual and final torch that Omega once again passes to Osprey 165 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:52,080 He was that's the guy he passed the torch to when he left New Japan and he may be doing it again and all eat wrestling dr. Trey 166 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,760 So how far out are we from all in? 167 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,280 August 30th, so what are we like five six weeks out? 168 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:03,640 Six weeks so it gives you a time to build up a story like 169 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:09,880 Like on one hand, I'm still in and I think anybody lives to show a long enough knows I I hate 170 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:13,200 Babyface versus babyface matchups 171 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,760 You know and right now the deathwriters are kind of babyface 172 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:21,520 Omega's a babyface Ospreys a babyface 173 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:29,560 Who like obviously the London crowd is going to be very very pro-osprey but there's gonna be a lot of Kenny fans in that audience as well 174 00:13:29,560 --> 00:13:32,560 I still would have preferred 175 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:39,880 MJF and Osprey just because that London crowd would have booed MJF so heavily 176 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:46,080 Enchured Osprey just the exact opposite that you would have really really great 177 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,960 crowd response for that match 178 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:54,880 Now you give me six weeks you factor in the Moxley factor into things like that 179 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,960 Maybe you create some different intrigue 180 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:02,440 But you're still gonna have a very pro heavy Osprey crowd 181 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:07,120 Cheering them on I guess a very they love Kenny also 182 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:17,320 To me I still like just traditional good versus evil at times on big shows like that because the crowd also helps make the match 183 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:22,000 It's going to be an incredible technical matchup. It's gonna be a five star matchup on 184 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:32,280 average I'm sure Meltzer is just excited beyond the leaves about can I score a seven in this matchup if all things goes planned 185 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,920 But the traditionalists in me still would have preferred 186 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,440 Osprey MJF 187 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:45,560 Babyface heal we boo MJF we cheer Osprey he wins crowd goes nuts it blows the roof 188 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:50,120 Well, there's no roof on Wembley Stadium, but it shakes it shakes the Raptors 189 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:56,440 So let's let's break it down here Dr. Trace the two big world title changes this week as we've already discussed 190 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,760 Which company in your mind made this one move? 191 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,680 Oh 192 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,680 I'll lean a W 193 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:12,680 Because I mean once again Kenny Omega will Osprey you got six weeks to set it up 194 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:20,840 You have the Moxley factor. We don't know like I know MJF tweeted out about knees knee injury and 195 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:23,720 He's in pain and dead at up, but I still 196 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:31,320 Was again traditionally me believes that he would have loved to have been in Wembley Stadium as well in front of that crowd 197 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:37,440 We don't know what the results of the Sammy Zane part of this is 198 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:44,080 And you and I could be here. Are we going that was effing stupid that they did that and now Sammy's 199 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,000 You know nowhere to be found 200 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:52,880 So I'm gonna the safe pick to me is AEW made the right call I guess 201 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:57,960 Which title change will look smarter six months from now 202 00:15:57,960 --> 00:16:02,800 Let me just preface this by saying Dr. Trace that the vibe is the vibe is at least for me right? 203 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:07,720 Kenny Omega is dropping the title to Will Osprey at all and if he holds on to the championship 204 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:13,520 See I'm punk on the other hand because report literally just dropped like a couple of hours ago before you and I 205 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:19,960 You know started recording from Russell votes on their radio show on Fightful Select that the expectation is that punk will get a long 206 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:21,960 Rain because and NBC Universal 207 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,920 Watson on the USA network wants a month's back down and Watson with the championship 208 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:32,320 So which title change will look smarter six months or they don't but they so USA they don't like Cody 209 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:36,600 Is that what we're saying? I do think that there's some Cody fatigue, right? 210 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,600 I think there's definite I mean that could be a topic for our home other day 211 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:42,440 I think there is rolling fatigue with rains 212 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:45,600 Roads and punk leading the ship right now 213 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:48,440 Yeah 214 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:49,440 I 215 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,520 Want to get I guess I'm gonna lean AEW on this one just because 216 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:57,640 You and I have been clamoring for an Osprey title run for almost two years 217 00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,440 um 218 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:07,400 And it's time to kind of see what he can do with him being the guy the top star. Yeah, it's time to cash out 219 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:13,800 Yeah, can they can they make we got to see I mean is Osprey enough to 220 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:19,960 Pull people in that aren't AEW fans, you know, can he transcend 221 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,520 AEW and get more into that pop culture mainstream because 222 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:30,700 AEW doesn't have that guy outside of maybe MJF and then Jericho in the beginning 223 00:17:30,700 --> 00:17:36,760 Outside of that they don't have that guy who's kind of transcended outside of the AEW bubble 224 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:42,200 Where WWE does a really good job of getting their guys out into the mainstream 225 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:48,400 So that casual fans. Hey, I've heard of punk. I've heard of Rawl. It's I've heard of Roman Reigns 226 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:56,840 Those names are kind of more than mainstream. So it's time to find out can Osprey be that guy or do we need to 227 00:17:56,840 --> 00:17:59,360 All's recourse again 228 00:17:59,360 --> 00:18:05,880 And then the last question here regards to the big two world championship title changes in WWE and AEW this past week 229 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:10,800 Dr. Trey did WWE put the title on the bigger star while AEW put the title on the better story? 230 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,600 um 231 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:21,480 I'll say WWE put the title on the bigger star. I still don't what is the story of the Omega and Osprey? 232 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,280 So it's um Omega 233 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:27,800 professional rivalry when he was leaving New Japan 234 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:35,600 Basically kind of earmarked Osprey to be the guy on his way out. I mean Osprey was this clean cut baby face 235 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:39,280 He was in chaos. He eventually turns heel 236 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:48,080 Forms United Empire becomes the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and was supposed to be the guy in New Japan until basically 237 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:50,920 AW took about a new Japan and signed them 238 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:54,400 But that was supposed to be the guy that was carrying the torch from from Omega 239 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:59,120 So if the torch was finned out of AJ to Kenny Omega Osprey was supposed to be next 240 00:18:59,120 --> 00:19:03,520 But in AEW there is no story yet 241 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:06,400 Well, they don't remember the forbidden door stuff 242 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:13,600 Like that was kind of the no it was the first go around before he was assigned a W talent like 243 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:20,120 Osprey was was basically chasing Kenny Omega. Remember when he was paired up with Don Callis and 244 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:26,600 You know, he was better than Kenny Omega and that was kind of the storyline and then eventually he eventually turns baby face 245 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:31,040 They start tagging with one another. They tagged in Australia for one of the grand slam shows 246 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:39,400 So basically it was you know Ospreys like looked up to Omega Omega's looked at him as the guy that you know takes this part in the throne 247 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:43,480 Basically, but they should do a better job for most people to like explain this all 248 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:50,040 Yeah, and that's and that's what saying because you keep saying this to better story and I'm like as a casual AEW fan 249 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:56,240 You know, I don't know the story so there to me there's not a story yet. It's basically 250 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,840 And then Osprey cost MJF the title 251 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:05,160 So to me and JF and Osprey still the better story. I don't know if he cost him right 252 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:10,640 He just took the dynamite diamond ring out of there. You know, he still didn't he hit them the heat seeker 253 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:15,960 Yeah, he pinned Kenny because it was a great the low blow the low blow on the heat seeker 254 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:23,280 The title belt the title belt and then that was where Kenny popped out and there was actually a great camera shot of Osprey 255 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,960 Like actually it almost looked like legitimately like he was in the moment 256 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:32,760 Um, I think that was like 50% like salad and 50% like this is awesome because that was a great match 257 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:34,760 And then Kenny Omega came back 258 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:40,840 So I it's funny that you bring that up like you wanted the background of the story because I do think there is something to that because not 259 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:48,640 Everybody knows like the new Japan chapter. They may forget the AEW stuff and you know you pointed out before they've got like six seven weeks of programming 260 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:52,440 Now to really build this up if this is the match they stick with right you know, we never know 261 00:20:53,080 --> 00:20:59,720 If I believe it is that's where they should really be basically kind of hitting at home like give me the chapters 262 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,440 What what is the backstory on this because for me? 263 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:06,480 I look at it as the better story because punk has no story like what's punk story right now? 264 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,840 We have no idea heading into Friday's Smackdown. Yeah 265 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:16,960 And punk story is going to be a little bit that Cody stuff we saw teased earlier this year when you know 266 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:21,480 When Roman was designing who they were gonna challenge and there's that moment where you know 267 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:25,840 Punks looking at Cody's belt that first was it like right after 268 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:31,480 Right after Mania. Yeah, yeah, so there is a little bit of Easter egg dropping in there as well 269 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:36,160 And then you do have the Sammy Zane factor so it does kind of depend on the direction 270 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:42,680 They go on Smackdown this week as to what the story so that doesn't say it to me as 271 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:46,040 And I hate saying I'm 272 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:54,200 I'm kind of become like a casual though. I don't watch it as intensely as I used to but to me it's like the safe pick for me in this 273 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,440 question is 274 00:21:56,440 --> 00:22:02,120 WWE picked the bigger start up with the belt on more so and you can say the same thing 275 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:08,440 Maybe in there mine can he's a bigger star than MJF and that's the direction they want to go heading 276 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,360 It's all in if they're gonna put somebody new on top 277 00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:19,760 No, it's fair. So feel free to chime in. We'd love to hear everybody's thoughts chime in over at patreon.com/srtupodcast 278 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:26,360 Crazy week for title changes. It's you could have forecasted as a big potential on last week's show 279 00:22:26,360 --> 00:22:32,840 But here we are too big title chant changes. I certainly did not see CM Punk being our new WWE champion 280 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:37,720 And just kind of like peeling it back a little bit creatively. I think you know, Dr. Trey pulling up pretty well 281 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,120 Had it not been Sammy involved other people would we like the creative? 282 00:22:41,120 --> 00:22:43,120 There's pretty good chance we might have 283 00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:45,440 But the way did you like? 284 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:50,320 By the way, did you like the punk intro with the garage door lifting and walking through? 285 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:52,840 I did 286 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:56,840 But I just I just felt like it was too predictable 287 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:02,560 I just love the fact that here's a guy standing outside of garage door and is wrestling here 288 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:08,400 You know what I would have liked more I know right? You know what I would have liked more dr. Trey is I would have liked more 289 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:14,680 Not run the Cody Rhodes injury angle at the start of raw by Gunther, right? 290 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,680 There's a layer to that could they go the Gunther? 291 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:21,560 Cody are out for some reason. I'm certainly I wouldn't have done that 292 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:26,200 And just left Cody in the match, but have Nick all this say 293 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,800 You know 294 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:34,760 I've added somebody I made a phone call and got it approved even though I'm suspended and that's where they add punk in the match 295 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:38,400 Because that everything else just felt like so predictable the whole rest of the show 296 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:45,800 Like I would have done it differently unless unless their angle is to get the punk Cody and Sammy at summer slam true 297 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:49,760 But I would have just had all this come out and say you know what I did not agree that 298 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:53,520 This would be a number one contenders match Cody will get his shot 299 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:59,240 But tonight I have somebody special in no that was a little title match not a number of contenders 300 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:01,560 He had already won the number one contenders 301 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:09,520 Now the match with Cody last smack down. Oh, okay, got you pierce made that one match a number one contenders match 302 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:14,800 I would have all the say I didn't okay that as the general manager smack down look 303 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:18,960 I understand Cody won that match. He'll get his title shot, but tonight 304 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:24,600 Since I'm since I'm back I can make a match. I have somebody in mind for Sammy and then 305 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:28,040 the punk reveal and then you can still save Cody 306 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:31,920 Wanting title shot because he won that number one contenders match 307 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:38,080 Sammy's wanting a rematch because he should have been put in that match and then you can factor 308 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,600 You might get a fatal four way of summer. Well, I was just gonna say you 309 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:45,240 I want it just to kind of like wrap this up because if it's like organically gone this direction 310 00:24:45,240 --> 00:24:48,640 Rank the possibilities of these matches or 311 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:52,600 Right what you think is most likely like three to one there's 312 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:55,520 Cody versus punk 313 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,120 Punk versus Cody race me punk versus 314 00:24:58,120 --> 00:25:03,680 Sammy triple threat match Sammy Cody punk or fatal four away 315 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:08,920 Sammy Cody punk Gunther. What is the most likely match for summer slam? 316 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:14,720 I'm gonna go Cody and punk because that's the two biggest stars on your brand for summer slim 317 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,440 Much like rain's and roll it's on a roll 318 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:20,200 My number two would be Cody 319 00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:23,680 punk and Sammy and then Cody punk 320 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:31,560 Sammy and Gunther. Yeah, I'm with you. I'm with you. I would go the fatal four away three triple threat to one Cody punk because 321 00:25:31,560 --> 00:25:34,040 There's reports out that that WWE wants 322 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:40,360 Summer slam to be bigger than WrestleMania. I think they very much realized like that WrestleMania kind of shit the bed a little bit 323 00:25:40,360 --> 00:25:45,000 Did not leave up to expectations. So and it's the first two nights 324 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,400 Wrestle or summer slam. No, they did 325 00:25:47,400 --> 00:25:53,400 Two years ago or last year at Matt life in New Jersey. I thought last year was still I thought last year still the one one 326 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:57,000 No, no, that was the first time they did till don't you remember Cardi B? Come on 327 00:25:57,000 --> 00:26:05,480 Such a big Cardi B fan. There are certain things I still I'm still trying to get who sexy red is and has been like a year 328 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:10,000 That's fair. That is very very fair. I have no idea who she is. All right, so switching gears here 329 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:15,080 This is the word beyond the halfway point of the year we usually read around the 4th of July 330 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:19,640 Look at our leading candidates for the 2026 SRT awards 331 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:25,000 So dr. Trey let's just kind of run through some of the candidates that we're looking at right now 332 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:27,160 So starting with new story of the year 333 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:34,120 I only have one and that is WWE restructuring contracts of top stars as the new day and shameless who we'll talk about here 334 00:26:34,120 --> 00:26:40,040 And just a little bit leave WWE because of the contractual changes and restructuring. I don't 335 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:42,760 Can't think of anything else. Yeah 336 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,640 Um 337 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,320 Yeah, I'm trying to think because AEW has not really been in the news 338 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:56,200 Maybe TNA is kind of in the same boat as w with the restructuring of their contracts and losing somebody of their towns 339 00:26:56,200 --> 00:27:02,760 But that's on a smaller scale as opposed to WWE so losing the new day and shame is two of your long-time 340 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:05,000 Salwards to contract issues 341 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,640 Should be number one as it right now 342 00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:13,640 Yeah, it's been a weird year for for new stories. It's been pretty quiet, which I guess for wrestling. That's a good thing 343 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:21,560 That's good uh breakout star of the year. I've got three candidates, but the first one is my top one Opafemi will Osprey Jacob Fato 344 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:29,880 Yeah, I'm trying to think if there's anybody else I would move up. I mean can you move trick into that area? 345 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:33,800 Yeah, I think you can. I think that's a good one. I mean yeah, it tricks up there 346 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:37,240 I'm trying to think there's nobody really everybody on AEW. I mean 347 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:41,960 Kyle Fletcher we mentioned last year. He's still about the same spot. He's in now 348 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:44,840 um 349 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:49,880 Depending on how far I don't know if you can ever say on Draude but this new like how you know thing 350 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:55,160 Is kind of catching on and I don't know if he can be a breakout star considering his 351 00:27:55,160 --> 00:28:02,280 longevity, but I mean maybe he can send to a different level, but that's way to he's like six or seven on my list, but 352 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:03,640 um 353 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:08,840 Yeah, but your top three is basically about what my top three would be as well. Yeah, I would say it's more likely 354 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:12,360 Opafemi is the favorite for that one as of right now. Um 355 00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:18,040 Moment of the year I have two samis a winning the World Heavyweight Championship at night of champions Darby 356 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,280 Alan win the AW World Championship on dynamite 357 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:26,440 Yeah, and then we'll I mean in once again if we'll Osprey wins it all in that could jump right there 358 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:28,760 I mean depending on the reaction of the crowd everything else 359 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:31,720 samis one for me Darby's two 360 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:34,120 um 361 00:28:34,120 --> 00:28:37,240 Trying to think if there's anything else that really jumps out 362 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,720 As like oh crap that was amazing or gotten into seals and 363 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:44,360 Right now. It's just it's basically those two 364 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:51,160 Uh event of the year I have WWE night of champions in AW double or nothing right now 365 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:56,680 I have double or nothing in night of champions those are my times. Yeah, I just have a reverse order from you 366 00:28:56,680 --> 00:29:01,880 Uh few to the year my candidates MJF versus Darby Alan and Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre 367 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:05,880 Uh, see MJF Darby. I mean 368 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:12,440 Oba Brock depending on summer slam goes. Yeah, it's a hell on a sell match or crying out loud. I mean that's that's pretty solid 369 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:15,880 Um, I mean how we got a fake Brock retirement 370 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:18,360 Mm-hmm out of that out of that as well 371 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:20,440 Uh great intro in Italy 372 00:29:20,440 --> 00:29:29,160 Yeah, uh Seth and the vision hasn't been great because of the injury even Seth and Braun because of all the injuries and stop start 373 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:31,320 hasn't been great 374 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:32,600 um 375 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:34,600 Trying to think of it uh 376 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,960 Even I'll often think this this depending on how far this goes 377 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:39,960 Darby 378 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:41,320 uh 379 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:45,480 Kevin Knight Don Callis family. Okay. I don't mind it 380 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:54,120 Um because I like fused that can kind of like it's still it's a little bit old school superstar against a eel manager's faction 381 00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:57,800 You know all I like when Hogan feuds with the Hinen family it'd be 382 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:00,920 Nine guys he viewed with over the course of a year 383 00:30:01,640 --> 00:30:06,680 Uh that can keep Darby kind of out of the spotlight for a little bit and 384 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:13,000 You know last or last night on dynamite they tease a little tension between Kevin Knight and Kyle Fletcher also so 385 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:15,640 It'll be interesting to see how that whole 386 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:21,640 rival refue with now Darby and Andrade against the DCF goes 387 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:27,560 Um match of the year. I have two sammys and Cody Rhodes gone through from night of champions 388 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:31,240 And I'm probably stealing yours El Grande Americana versus original 389 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:34,840 El Grande Americana from triple a nocha de los grandes 390 00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:43,320 I have those two inter in reverse order and I I really did like the MJF Kenny Omega match. I mean it's it's 391 00:30:43,320 --> 00:30:49,240 Behind those two, but I would probably have it three or four on my list. Yeah, that was a great match last 392 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:56,920 I really really fun match uh at uh beach break on that episode of dynamite tag team of the judges have two FTR and Copen Christian 393 00:30:56,920 --> 00:31:00,840 FTR Copen Christian 394 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:04,600 Yeah, because I mean as much of that love priest in our truth 395 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:07,560 If there's not a lot going on with that 396 00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:12,760 Um the triple a guys the tag titles haven't been really well represented the war 397 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:17,960 This is almost like it's almost yeah, I mean we're not just that but even like psycho clown and pagano 398 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:20,040 um 399 00:31:20,040 --> 00:31:23,880 I mean TNA you're back to the hardies again on top 400 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:28,920 So it does kind of feel like it's FTR Copen and then maybe the hardies are decent third 401 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:34,280 Um female rest of the year I just have to live Morgan and tecla 402 00:31:34,280 --> 00:31:42,520 Yeah, I'm asked that's my fix. It's basically a two horse race. I mean it just depends what's again if he oh wins at 403 00:31:42,520 --> 00:31:47,560 You know summer slam and get to decent run the rest of the year and you throw that on top of her 404 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:50,280 You know queen of the ring win 405 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:56,200 That could kind of catapult her up and at least that that top two top three range as well 406 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:02,120 Uh male rest of the year MJF Cody Rhodes John Moxley are my choices right now 407 00:32:02,120 --> 00:32:05,480 MJF Cody 408 00:32:05,480 --> 00:32:07,320 um 409 00:32:07,320 --> 00:32:08,520 Yeah, well 410 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:09,800 I 411 00:32:09,800 --> 00:32:13,560 I'm depending on what happens after this week with Sammy 412 00:32:13,560 --> 00:32:16,280 Sammy's got a world championship win 413 00:32:16,280 --> 00:32:18,600 He's that a strong year, you know 414 00:32:18,600 --> 00:32:20,120 um 415 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:24,200 And then once again kind of pencil happens to be Will Osprey Osprey won the olympia 416 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:28,760 If he wins it all in that's a pretty big year also 417 00:32:28,760 --> 00:32:35,080 Uh any love for CM Punk or or Roman Reigns in this one 418 00:32:35,080 --> 00:32:41,960 Well, I mean you gotta look at punk punk technically see he won at rumble lost at media 419 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:47,080 Didn't really wrestle again until Monday night. So he's really only had 420 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:50,760 Four matches four or five matches this year 421 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:54,280 So in Romans had two 422 00:32:54,760 --> 00:32:59,800 So it's kind of like it's hard to throw them in that category with the other guys that had like 15 20 423 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:05,160 Uh wrestling promotion the year uh my favorite shows a w raw and annexed 424 00:33:05,160 --> 00:33:08,920 Yeah, I would say this year, dr. Try but I would say it's a a w's leader 425 00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:16,520 I've got a w. I've got triple a second thing because I know you and I know you don't watch but I've had so much fun watching triple a 426 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:22,200 And I'm not and I'm not a there's there's elements of lucha leeway wrestling. I cannot stand 427 00:33:22,840 --> 00:33:27,560 I hate what they call the business. I hate lucha passes where the guy is running at you and you sidestep him 428 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:31,560 And you push him on the back and he keeps running. I hate that 429 00:33:31,560 --> 00:33:39,080 Because I'm like why would I keep running? Did I saw me coming he moved? I just keep running. I hate that but 430 00:33:39,080 --> 00:33:45,640 Storyline wise if if undertaker aka mark caloid is in complete control the booking in triple a 431 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:50,760 He's been doing a fantastic job. So I have a w triple a and then 432 00:33:51,320 --> 00:33:55,000 New night raw um and then finally srt rest of the year 433 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:58,760 I would say uh for me right now leader in the clubhouse dr. Trays mjf 434 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:02,600 I feel like he's been the guy that's kind of been the driving force for a w this year 435 00:34:02,600 --> 00:34:07,240 Yeah, I think everything kind of as revolved around him now it just sucks 436 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:12,680 Just sucks if he's hurt and he's gonna be out for four or five months that'll knock him down 437 00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:16,280 You know until he comes back. Wait, is he hurt? I look for someone else 438 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:20,920 Well, I like I said I did see in an interview that he was somehow his knees jacked up 439 00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:24,440 Uh, it structurally sound but he needs to rest it 440 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:29,640 He was somehow much pain. He's in at 30. Okay, yeah, I did see that as well 441 00:34:29,640 --> 00:34:35,960 So it's kind of like if that's the reason they're kind of giving him a break. Yeah, that makes sense 442 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:38,280 It's for all in if it's a month 443 00:34:38,280 --> 00:34:41,880 Yeah, if it's a month and he comes back after all in challenging 444 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:48,840 You know either osprey or Kenny to get back to the top. Yeah, he's probably gonna stay right there the top of our list 445 00:34:49,320 --> 00:34:51,320 If he's got to be out for four months 446 00:34:51,320 --> 00:34:55,240 To recover or he's recovery and filming a movie 447 00:34:55,240 --> 00:34:59,160 Uh, that might dampen that ranking by the end of the year 448 00:34:59,160 --> 00:35:00,600 uh 449 00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:07,480 But to me it is it's mjf and then everybody else is like a distant second and third like he's kind of clear cut this year so far 450 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:12,840 Yeah, no and and according to our history that if he is too hold and win that award 451 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:18,600 Um on the last show of the year he would be the first a w wrestler ever to accomplish that dr. Trey 452 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:26,600 Well, you know, that's weird to say because I would think but then again, we had to roam in in the early 2020s when a w 453 00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:31,240 Was kicking off in the bloodline was as last it ever was so it's kind of hard to beat that 454 00:35:31,240 --> 00:35:35,640 Never been an a w star ever to win that award s or t rest of the year 455 00:35:35,640 --> 00:35:41,560 Uh, we'll find out more we'll find out who wins those awards on thursday december 31st 456 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:56,920 2026 the last day of the year will be our srt you awards show special uh feel free to chime in over at patreon.com/srtu podcast with your thoughts on some of the leading candidates for our awards that we give out each and every year 457 00:35:56,920 --> 00:36:03,320 Moving forward dr. Trey I mentioned this in my new story of the year with some of the restructuring and the cuts 458 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:09,000 While we saw another shocking departure from wwe this past week as uh courted reports 459 00:36:09,480 --> 00:36:14,680 Shamus is set to leave wwe they've already moved into the alumni section after rejection 460 00:36:14,680 --> 00:36:16,920 Reducting a restructured extension 461 00:36:16,920 --> 00:36:24,120 This is according to Sean Ross app from fightful select uh Dave Meltzer added some more college of this saying quote 462 00:36:24,120 --> 00:36:32,040 Discussing tko's approach to paying down who are older and perceived as being any downside saying quote the tko thing from talking to people there on 463 00:36:32,040 --> 00:36:38,280 Shamus and other situations is that they are very willing to pay really giant money to people who they perceive as the stars 464 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:43,960 Like a sports team but when it's older wrestlers who they perceive as being on their downside and have big contracts 465 00:36:43,960 --> 00:36:46,280 They're very much like an NFL team that will go 466 00:36:46,280 --> 00:36:49,480 Quote rather than pay a guy at a giant salary who's on the downside 467 00:36:49,480 --> 00:36:56,040 We would rather spend our resources on somewhaty younger who also we could pay less to end quote when um 468 00:36:56,040 --> 00:37:04,840 When I saw this story dr. Trey or oh, sorry, there's still more to this he said Meltzer said so that offered a shameless really doesn't surprise me at all 469 00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:07,480 He would be a guy I would expect something like this to happen 470 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:11,640 When I saw this story all I could think of dr. Trey was this reminds me of 471 00:37:11,640 --> 00:37:16,680 Sports team where it's like listen. We appreciate everything that you've done you've you've 472 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:21,000 Transcended and bit of mainstay on the team for a long time 473 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:26,760 But we want to move into a different direction to pay a cheaper younger talent that actually may be better than you 474 00:37:26,760 --> 00:37:33,240 Right now so um I felt bad. Shamus has been another appreciated guy. I think for a long time in WWE 475 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:38,840 There was a period time. I think a lot of fans hated him and revolted him in the early 2010s 476 00:37:38,840 --> 00:37:44,520 But I would say in the last 10 years really since he had that shitty gimmick with uh League of Nations 477 00:37:44,520 --> 00:37:47,960 It had his hair in bows dangling off his cheek 478 00:37:47,960 --> 00:37:54,360 The appreciation of Shamus has been big and that kind of really all started with the bar with Cesaro 479 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:56,520 Also known as Claudio Casignoli 480 00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:59,320 I was sad to see this. I mean not everybody could stay for a long time 481 00:37:59,320 --> 00:38:03,640 But the comparisons to a sports team was was I thought spot on dr. Trey 482 00:38:04,360 --> 00:38:14,840 It's like Emmett Smith playing on the Arizona card. Yep exactly. It was like you don't you don't remember that but then you're like oh crap that did happen for like a season 483 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:16,840 Joe Montana on the chiefs 484 00:38:16,840 --> 00:38:20,520 At least Montana got the chief to an A of such a good 485 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:23,320 So hey Brady won the Super War 486 00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:27,480 Yeah, it's a nighter. It's like Jerry Rice ended up on the Seahawks 487 00:38:27,480 --> 00:38:31,560 For a couple of seasons at the end of his career people kind of forget that you know it's like 488 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:36,440 It that's the nature of sports like when a team looks at you on your downside 489 00:38:36,440 --> 00:38:38,360 There's that sense of like there's loyalty like 490 00:38:38,360 --> 00:38:42,680 We want to pay you because of everything you've done for us 491 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:48,760 But what are you going to be able to contribute to us going forward to make more money for us and 492 00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:56,200 As much as I love Shamus the guy has been pretty beat up and pretty injured the last few years 493 00:38:56,200 --> 00:38:59,240 So I understand TKO's vision but as a 494 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:02,360 You know as a guy who's a working Joe 495 00:39:02,360 --> 00:39:08,120 I kind of want my company to be loyal to me also at least they extended him an offer 496 00:39:08,120 --> 00:39:14,040 To show like hey you're we are willing to keep you around but it's got to be at a reduced rate 497 00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:18,840 It's not like TKO where they just ghost people when their contracts are up at the end 498 00:39:18,840 --> 00:39:22,840 Yeah, nope very true. I'm sorry not not TKO Tony Conn 499 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:28,120 Tony Conn yeah, that's the big one where yeah, we figure you're going to WWE so we're gonna pull you off television 500 00:39:28,680 --> 00:39:34,920 Um, where does Shamus go next and did WWE undervalue a future Hall of Famer in your eyes? 501 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:42,120 I don't think they undervalued him because you look at that roster right now and it's so loaded 502 00:39:42,120 --> 00:39:46,280 Like where does Shamus slot in realistically right now mid-card problem? 503 00:39:46,280 --> 00:39:50,840 I see title I see title range maybe putting over younger talent 504 00:39:50,840 --> 00:39:57,160 Well, if you're looking at a guy for an I see title right and look at the you know look at smacked and you got trick Carmelo Ricky Saints 505 00:39:57,720 --> 00:40:03,000 You're paying those guys a lot less you look at the roster you got penta and Chad Gable and the luch doors and 506 00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:08,200 You know roosef's on a probably a lower end contract as well not as much as you've taken before 507 00:40:08,200 --> 00:40:10,440 like 508 00:40:10,440 --> 00:40:14,920 You got to pay Shamus in the same range as your paying those guys and if he doesn't want to take that money 509 00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:19,800 That's completely up to him. That's that's the beauty of being able to negotiate your contracts 510 00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:27,400 You can kind of go out and see where your value is and it and Jeff if he goes out and test the market like any other 511 00:40:27,720 --> 00:40:31,480 NFL player baseball player could do and realize oh crap 512 00:40:31,480 --> 00:40:34,680 Nobody else is off from me the money that tk. Oh was 513 00:40:34,680 --> 00:40:39,000 He could always come back. You know and take that and take that but 514 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:44,440 I don't know like I don't know if you were the same things I did there are some people in a w were like 515 00:40:44,440 --> 00:40:50,840 Oh, God another ww guy coming in to take our spots a little bit of pushback there because the roster seems to be 516 00:40:50,840 --> 00:40:53,400 Really happy right now 517 00:40:53,400 --> 00:41:00,200 I've never heard anything bad about Shamus. So I do kind of think he'll wind up in a w maybe on a 518 00:41:00,200 --> 00:41:05,560 Short-term contract maybe to work with Claudio at some point again 519 00:41:05,560 --> 00:41:11,000 Um, I don't know if you saw that vignette for the brawling birds. I did dynamite 520 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:14,760 Instantly reminded me of Shamus in in Claudio 521 00:41:14,760 --> 00:41:19,240 The bar was a great tag team despite losing to a child 522 00:41:19,240 --> 00:41:23,160 Which I was there for yep 523 00:41:23,240 --> 00:41:25,240 I know your most memorable moment 524 00:41:25,240 --> 00:41:31,240 Yeah, it's up there. That was also the oscars streak ended that people forget about um 525 00:41:31,240 --> 00:41:38,760 I just think a w is more likely than t and a at this point. So I kind of expect to me at least 526 00:41:38,760 --> 00:41:42,840 Sign a short-term deal with a w just to kind of 527 00:41:42,840 --> 00:41:48,600 Pay off on I don't say that nostalgia, but every time ww's release somebody that 528 00:41:49,400 --> 00:41:54,520 Fans were loyal to they they they make a little bit of a scene about it whether it was our truth 529 00:41:54,520 --> 00:41:58,360 Last year the new day this year Shamus now 530 00:41:58,360 --> 00:42:05,560 Makes sense for a w to kind of go hey, let's bring you in let's see what you can contribute and we'll kind of play it after the first year 531 00:42:05,560 --> 00:42:12,680 Yeah, that's how I'd approach it. I think Shamus is probably more likely t and a bound than a w bound 532 00:42:12,680 --> 00:42:16,760 I know that there's been some things that maybe a w would be interested if he went a w 533 00:42:17,240 --> 00:42:20,680 I think he would be perfect for the blackpool combat club um 534 00:42:20,680 --> 00:42:25,240 Or the tears with the deathwriters with a pock and 535 00:42:25,240 --> 00:42:30,520 Claudia Casignoli, but he just streams like t and a got in me to be honest with you the doctor 536 00:42:30,520 --> 00:42:34,440 Like I could see him in 90 days or I guess because his contract is 537 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:39,480 So his contract expired, but he must love the non the non-compete so 90 days 538 00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:42,440 He pops up in t and a and like wins the world championship 539 00:42:42,440 --> 00:42:45,080 I think he's more t and a bound than a w bound in my opinion 540 00:42:45,480 --> 00:42:50,200 I think it depends if moxley and claw to you go to 20 constate hey you're bringing Shamus over 541 00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:54,920 He's bringing Shamus. Well, it's reports is that some people are going to bat for him in a w 542 00:42:54,920 --> 00:42:57,240 You know, obviously we don't know if that's true or not 543 00:42:57,240 --> 00:43:03,960 And it kind of does feel like at times that mox has cart blanche in a w to kind of do whatever he wants to do 544 00:43:03,960 --> 00:43:08,600 So I'm pretty sure if he says hey, let's make room for Shamus. They'll make room for Shamus 545 00:43:08,600 --> 00:43:12,840 Is this with t and a with you know everybody requesting their releases? 546 00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:21,960 I don't know if there's budget money for a Shamus, but he does have Dolph Sigler and Matt Hardy in his corner for t and a as well 547 00:43:21,960 --> 00:43:26,360 So he's got people willing to go to bat for him in both companies 548 00:43:26,360 --> 00:43:34,520 So here we go Shamus no longer with w a strange year both new day and Shamus just leaving w because they don't want to restructure their contract 549 00:43:34,520 --> 00:43:37,160 definitely new era and 550 00:43:37,160 --> 00:43:41,880 Logic of thinking when it comes to their superstars very much like a sports franchise 551 00:43:42,680 --> 00:43:48,520 Doctor Trey last thing that I'll bring up here again add it to the chapter of this will make us feel old 552 00:43:48,520 --> 00:43:51,800 30 years ago this week the 553 00:43:51,800 --> 00:43:55,960 N.W.O. was formed in Daytona Beach, Florida at Bash the Beach 554 00:43:55,960 --> 00:43:58,600 1996 555 00:43:58,600 --> 00:44:02,120 I always feel like we've talked about this at the 20 25 here we are at 30 556 00:44:02,120 --> 00:44:06,520 Is the N.W.O. still the most influential faction in wrestling history? 557 00:44:06,520 --> 00:44:12,600 Yes, and by the numbers I learned is did you know how many members were actually 558 00:44:12,760 --> 00:44:18,200 in the N.W.O. at one point or another are we counting like Wolfpack and Japan too? 559 00:44:18,200 --> 00:44:20,840 Yes, and we count the WWE 560 00:44:20,840 --> 00:44:24,280 Yes, I'm gonna say 25 561 00:44:24,280 --> 00:44:27,400 79 what? 562 00:44:27,400 --> 00:44:37,560 Yes, 79 people I saw Kirst van Belie actually ran the numbers he was asking Billy Gunn in an interview about 563 00:44:37,960 --> 00:44:44,600 influential factions and he was like yes, and Billy Gunn jokingly said 97 in family was like 564 00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:52,680 You're actually close just invert those numbers it was 79 people have worn the colors of the N.W.O. at some point 565 00:44:52,680 --> 00:44:55,000 in their careers wow 566 00:44:55,000 --> 00:44:56,120 So 567 00:44:56,120 --> 00:45:05,480 It's really hard to say that the N.W.O. is not the most influential faction just based on those numbers because I think the horseman is like 13 568 00:45:06,120 --> 00:45:09,320 Yeah, the X is only seven. Yeah, I just say it's not many 569 00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:16,040 Yeah, so I mean it's it's it's crazy when you actually look at the numbers like just buy the numbers 570 00:45:16,040 --> 00:45:24,360 If there were 79 people in the N.W.O. at some point in almost every group since N.W.O. and DX has been some kind of 571 00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:28,280 very I mean nexus you could say was a 572 00:45:28,280 --> 00:45:32,440 variation of the N.W.O. like all these takeover 573 00:45:33,000 --> 00:45:37,640 type factions are basically based off of what the N.W.O. get yeah 574 00:45:37,640 --> 00:45:44,280 catapult to that 96 to 2001 run of really good wrestling in WCW ECW and WWE 575 00:45:44,280 --> 00:45:48,760 Granted in like two years time it was oversaturated the N.W.O. and 576 00:45:48,760 --> 00:45:56,760 Companies like WWE were able to adjust and kind of get with the times while WCW was getting left behind and eventually ECW was 577 00:45:56,760 --> 00:46:00,040 You know made bankrupt 578 00:46:00,040 --> 00:46:03,640 I know a lot of people give credit to ECW and rightfully so 579 00:46:03,640 --> 00:46:14,200 For their influence on storylines and like what fans wanted to see but at the N.W.O. to me was the one that really catapulted that and they don't get that much credit because it is WCW 580 00:46:14,200 --> 00:46:18,040 Quite frankly and WWE owns the history of WCW 581 00:46:18,040 --> 00:46:19,880 But you know that was the first period of time where you had 582 00:46:19,880 --> 00:46:24,360 legit real names Kevin Nash Scott Hall. They didn't have some shitty gimmick 583 00:46:24,360 --> 00:46:27,240 and they were just like kind of 584 00:46:27,400 --> 00:46:32,440 It fit the times they were like a gang of wrestlers that really transcend of the business 585 00:46:32,440 --> 00:46:35,720 I will say I mean we talk about creative nowadays 586 00:46:35,720 --> 00:46:41,720 Could you imagine if you and I were doing shows back in 96 97 98 and when we recap WCW 587 00:46:41,720 --> 00:46:46,600 We could just basically take like the six weeks prior where it said and by the end of the show 588 00:46:46,600 --> 00:46:48,600 N.W.O beat up everybody and left 589 00:46:48,600 --> 00:46:54,680 Like that could have been six straight weeks of WCW recaps for the podcast so much much easier times 590 00:46:55,320 --> 00:47:00,760 I'll say how much would how much fun would have been though the thing we had no real internet true 591 00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:09,320 And so we we were still in the k-fave era. Oh my god. Did you see who showed up this week like how cool is it to see 592 00:47:09,320 --> 00:47:16,920 Like how cool have been to a podcast when Rick Ruud showed up on both Raw and Night Show the same night mind blowing mind blowing 593 00:47:16,920 --> 00:47:22,760 I mean that's you know doctor Shren I would have to trade off who was calling the one 900 number from Jm. Oakland each week 594 00:47:23,240 --> 00:47:28,120 One 900 909 9900 I could still remember it doctor try 595 00:47:28,120 --> 00:47:34,600 I got in a lot of trouble for calling that number. I told you I got beat with the belt 596 00:47:34,600 --> 00:47:40,680 The only time my dad ever what me with a belt was for called the WCW hotline 597 00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:45,320 Yeah, I did it at my grandma's house. I'm pretty sure it was like 70 bucks. I got a lot of trouble for that one 598 00:47:45,320 --> 00:47:47,880 So 599 00:47:47,880 --> 00:47:53,320 9900 talk to me and jm. Oakland. So you got 30 years. Yeah, I can't believe it 600 00:47:53,320 --> 00:47:57,240 Kids get your parents kids get your parents permission before you dial that up. No kid ever did 601 00:47:57,240 --> 00:48:01,800 So there you go. I can't believe it 30 freaking years doctor try NWOs birth 602 00:48:01,800 --> 00:48:07,240 So one of the best t-shirts of all time as well is the new world or I saw plenty of NWO merchandise still 603 00:48:07,240 --> 00:48:09,800 That I rock from time to time 604 00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:13,880 Would that be inside? Let's close up shop on this week's edition of SRT 605 00:48:13,880 --> 00:48:19,320 We'll get a couple plugs and sponsors out of the way you could download the show at patreon.com/srtupodcast 606 00:48:19,320 --> 00:48:22,920 And disturb with a show feed on apple spotify wherever you download this podcast 607 00:48:22,920 --> 00:48:24,680 Don't forget to rate review and subscribe 608 00:48:24,680 --> 00:48:30,520 You could fall us individually on X for myself at SRTU Jeff and for doctor try Franklin at the doctor try and of course 609 00:48:30,520 --> 00:48:36,360 Don't forget to follow show on X at SRTU podcast with that being said what is going on the wonderful world of doctor 610 00:48:36,360 --> 00:48:38,360 Franklin this week 611 00:48:38,360 --> 00:48:43,640 Well like Jeff said you can follow me on X at the doctor try you can find me on instagram and facebook 612 00:48:43,640 --> 00:48:48,680 Dr. Trey Franklin when you're on Facebook be sure check out rock and city championship wrestling 613 00:48:48,680 --> 00:48:52,280 We just had a big show this past Saturday July 4th 614 00:48:52,280 --> 00:48:54,600 By the way 615 00:48:54,600 --> 00:49:01,720 Maybe the smallest crowd I have ever had we only had about 45 people show but all those people like coming out to wrestling show on July 4th 616 00:49:01,720 --> 00:49:03,320 That was awesome 617 00:49:03,320 --> 00:49:06,760 But most importantly get out and check out your own local independent wrestling shows 618 00:49:06,760 --> 00:49:08,840 See what's going on 619 00:49:08,840 --> 00:49:12,040 See who W.B. is going to sign for very very cheap apparently 620 00:49:12,680 --> 00:49:19,400 Richard holiday is on their radar. So if you don't know who Richard holiday is now's your chance to get out find him before he signs with 621 00:49:19,400 --> 00:49:22,600 W.E. and you can check out rocket cities youtube page 622 00:49:22,600 --> 00:49:24,520 rocketcity.com 623 00:49:24,520 --> 00:49:27,640 Or youtube.com/rockacitychapishetwrestling 624 00:49:27,640 --> 00:49:31,720 So there you go support all the great things that support SRTU each and every week 625 00:49:31,720 --> 00:49:34,600 Thank you for downloading the show. Thank you for subscribing 626 00:49:34,600 --> 00:49:39,560 Thank you for making us part of your week and until next week for doctor try Franklin 627 00:49:39,560 --> 00:49:42,940 I'm Jeff Pack. This has been The Still Relay Show.