The D'Amore Drop: Yes, wrestling has to evolve with the times, but are we pulling back the curtain too far?
I'm really intrigued by WWE and Netflix's new show "Unreal," which premieres next Tuesday. It promises to take viewers inside the booking room and show exactly how the sausage is made — or at least, how they want you to think it's made.
From what I've heard, it won't be a pure documentary, if such a thing even exists. Like many 'docuseries' these days, it's going to be a bit of a work. That is just the reality of modern production. Being a fly on the wall doesn't just happen, not over and over. Producing compelling TV means the fly needs to be on this wall, at this moment, to capture that conversation. You can't rely on luck or have 100 crews on 100 people all the time when you're spending Netflix money.
Still, I think it'll be a hit. The appetite for behind-the-scenes content in wrestling is bigger than it's ever been, and "Unreal" looks tailor-made for that audience.
The big question is if it can do what 'Drive to Survive' did for Formula One and bring in a brand new audience.
But here's the difference: F1 is a real sport. The more you understand it, the more exciting and dramatic it becomes.
With wrestling, I worry the opposite is true. Pull back the curtain too far, and the drama in the ring starts to feel flatter — not deeper. Because wrestling is supposed to be mysterious. That's part of the magic.
Yes, I am just about self-aware enough to get that I am here writing a weekly column for Uncrowned — offering opinions on current storylines, casually using terms like 'heel' and 'work,' while also saying I'm uneasy about a TV show that openly exposes the business.
In fact, I am actually contradicting myself way worse than that…
For my own promotion, Maple Leaf Pro-Wrestling, we produce a YouTube series called "Beyond the Ring" that goes behind the scenes. We show backstage footage, even of opponents — who are at each other's throats on-screen — relaxing together off-camera.
And when I ran TNA with Don Callis, we pitched parent company Anthem a show called 'Behind The Booking Room Door' which was similar in concept to what Netflix is doing.
So … I guess what I'm saying is this: Wrestling has to evolve with the times. No one can hold these changes back or put the 'it's not a sport' genie back in the bottle. But that doesn't mean we can't still feel a little nostalgic for the way things used to be, y'know?
The insane PCO vs. Dan Maff war from Maple Leaf Pro is now on YouTube. You really should check it out.
I'll never root against TNA. I put too much blood, sweat, tears and money into that company across two long stints.
But as most of you know, my relationship with TNA ended about 18 months ago.
So, watching them pull off their biggest show ever with Slammiversary last Sunday was bittersweet.
It's wild to see guys in baseball caps doing podcasts claiming the TNA/WWE relationship 'all started' six months ago with Joe Hendry's appearance at the Royal Rumble.
Ahem.
TNA champion Mickie James — and her championship belt — entered the Royal Rumble three and a half years ago.
That's when the critical TNA/WWE relationship began.
Having AJ Styles appear in person on a TNA show was a lovely moment. (I say 'in person' because he appeared at the 20th anniversary Slammiversary via video, with the WWE's blessing, but... y'know).
TNA is the house that AJ Styles built.
He was the one we could point to, when everyone was saying 'TNA is nowhere near as good as WWE,' and say 'Yeah? Well, WWE has no one even close to THIS guy!'
It made sense for TNA to use AJ's appearance to pass the X-Division torch to Leon Slater. Leon has a massive future, both in TNA and, eventually, AEW and/or WWE.
Y'know, we discovered Leon during a TNA tour of the UK four years ago. He was a teenager, but like with Seth Rollins, who was also a teen when I met him, it was obvious Leon had 'it.'
We'd heard about him, booked him on the tour, but he was even better than his reputation suggested. We signed him as soon as we watched him wrestle — and here he is, making me look like a genius when all we did was recognize HIS genius when it was right in front of us.
Something's been bothering me.
Everybody knows Tony Khan grew up with money. So why is he the one who understands that most families can't afford to spend over $1,000 on one night out at the wrestling?
I know everything costs more these days, but I hate to see WWE become something only those with big disposable incomes can attend live.
Months ago, I advocated in this column for a 'wait and see' approach when John Cena's heel turn with The Rock wasn't followed up on by WWE.
And while I'll always ask fans to give the bookers and talent time to tell their story, six months after Cena's turn, we have to say that the turn hasn't been maximized.
Even allowing for the fact that nothing will ever eclipse Hulk Hogan's 1996 WCW turn, and that John's promo work has been strong, it just hasn't hit like it could have.
It's going to be very interesting to see if WWE turns John again next week at SummerSlam during or after the match with Cody Rhodes, and how they send him off into the sunset over this next (and final) five months of his career.
The whole industry is watching to see how the first-ever two-night WWE SummerSlam is received.
Turning WrestleMania into two nights made sense. Those shows were stretching to seven hours. Even the most diehard fans were getting worn out.
But the two-night SummerSlam? I'm not sure this one was organic. This feels like a revenue move by TKO.
That said, the cards look good. We'll see how it delivers.
One of the best moments at Slammiversary was Moose handing off the X-Division torch to Leon Slater.
I've got a lot of friends in TNA, but Moose is basically family.
Frank Trigg, the UFC Hall of Famer, once called me and said he had a buddy who wanted to get into wrestling. Said he was an offensive tackle in the NFL. Told me, 'Just work out with him.'
I was expecting some big farm boy, 360 pounds, built like a fridge, but instead this athletic monster walks in. He was ripped, fast, and within five minutes I knew he was going to be a star.
Sure, there have been times I wished he were normal-sized, just so I could reach up and throttle him. Like I said, family. He's been to Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house, the Canadian Thanksgiving.
We were watching football. Moose was surprised that 'American' football was played on Canadian Thanksgiving. My mom, already smitten with the big lump, gently said, 'Well, honey, it's Sunday. That's when NFL games are played.'
And Moose, mouth full of turkey, looked up and said, 'Oh? It's Sunday in Canada too?'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Naomi Osaka announces she is no longer working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou
WASHINGTON (AP) — Naomi Osaka and coach Patrick Mouratoglou are done working together after less than a year, the four-time Grand Slam champion announced Sunday on social media. 'Merci Patrick,' Osaka began her post, with a photo of her hitting a practice serve while he stands nearby. 'It was such a great experience learning from you. Wishing you nothing but the best. You are one of the coolest people I've ever met and I'm sure I'll see you around.' The news comes three days after Osaka lost her second match at the D.C. Open and just before she begins competing in Toronto. The U.S. Open, the year's last major tournament and an event Osaka won twice, begins in New York on Aug. 24. Osaka hired Mouratoglou — who was the longtime coach of Serena Williams — when she fired Wim Fissette shortly after her second-round exit at last year's U.S. Open. Osaka, a former No. 1, is currently ranked 51st and has a 21-11 record this season. She hasn't been past the third round at a Grand Slam tournament since winning the 2021 Australian Open. ___ AP tennis: The Associated Press
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Older People Are Sharing The "Forgotten" TV Shows From Their Childhoods, And I'm Adding Like Half Of These To My To-Watch List Immediately
Recently, I rounded up some forgotten '90s TV shows, and there were some hidden gems in there! In the comments, BuzzFeed Community members of all ages shared obscure series from their childhoods. Here are 50 of their top responses: 1."Thirtysomething. Huge hit in the late '80s/early '90s. Literally so forgotten it isn't even streaming anywhere. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it's about young boomers who have huge houses, kids, and high-paying jobs, and yet do nothing but complain about middle age and how they have to sell out to succeed. I doubt a single person could relate to it today. It was also kinda sexist. The women who were well-adjusted were the stay-at-home moms, and the independent working women had all the psychological issues." —colleend9 2."Black Hole High (or if you were in the States, like me, it was Strange Days at Blake Holsey High). It was about a group of science-loving kids at a Canadian boarding school with a wormhole under their school, and they have to figure out what the local evil guy (and dad of one of the kids) wants with it. It has a surprisingly complex myth arc for a children's show, and a good twist near the end. I loved that show. It's streaming on a few different platforms in the US, including Prime." —lobster_lemon_lime 3."It appears that no one remembers Girlfriends. I always wanted to get Converse because of Persia White's character." —alice_follows_the_white_rabbit 4."Bosom Buddies had Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari. I can't recall why, but the aforementioned actors disguised themselves as women." [Note: The two male leads disguised themselves so they could live in an affordable female-only apartment building.] —pissedoffprofessor 5."What I Like About You. Most people forget that Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth were on a sitcom together for four seasons on The WB." —smellyunicorn211 6."There was a show on Disney Channel called The Jersey, and it was a sports show. I think it transported the wearer into the body of a pro athlete, like they were playing in the Super Bowl." —ashlucky5 7."Small Wonder was a comedy science fiction about a robotics engineer and his family. He secretly builds a robot that looks like a human girl, and they disguise her as their adopted daughter, Vicki." —grouchytoaster7815 8."The Young Riders. I was madly in love with every single one of those boys at 11 years old. Actually, when I was a kid, I was a huge Civil War nerd (I still am, but not to the extent I was then), and that show's time frame, being right before the Civil War, made me even more interested in it. I still see that baby face every time I see Josh Brolin in anything. He and Stephen Baldwin were my favorites." —scorp599211 9."How about Fifteen (aka Hillside in Canada)? Nickelodeon's version of 90210. Damn near a Canadian copy." —rebekahj6 "There was also a show on Nickelodeon called Fifteen that I still think I might have dreamed because no one remembers it." —vividavocado85 10."A Mary-Kate and Ashley forgotten gem — So Little Time!" —emilyv11 11."I have something really obscure for you guys. There was this TV show in the '90s about a guy who was a journalist, and then he gets fired but decides to reapply to the same newspaper, but now dressed up as a woman. It lasted for a season. The name of the TV show was Ask Harriet." —kpride895 12."Dark Shadows had a brief reboot in 1991, which was good but unintentionally funny for various scenes, like when one female lead named Victoria was transported back in time. She ended up being suspected as a witch because of the tags in her clothing, which had symbols for stuff like dry clean only or iron on low." —henrylovedog 13."There's the Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff show The Heights. Most people recall the song ('How Do You Talk To An Angel') but not the actual show." —henrylovedog 14."A sci-fi show with Lori Singer — VR.5. It's about a telephone lineworker who can enter a type of virtual reality, where she can interact with other people." —radpotato92 15."One show I've never seen on these lists is Sisters. It was a great series with an amazing cast!" —happypumpkin137 16."There was a New Kids on the Block cartoon (they had a random dog sidekick instead of a more believable roadie)." —justjen0178 17."No one I know seems to remember the show Wake, Rattle, and Roll. The theme song is my morning alarm. 😬" —tcfranco 18."Kidd Video, anyone? '80s cartoon where a live-action band got transported into a cartoon universe called the Flipside. Popular songs of the day were played throughout the episodes, and the band would have one of their own music videos towards the end. I freakin' loved it." —laughingclown4451 19."Way back in 1990, Carol Burnett came out with a series — Carol & Company. It was a great concept. This was a sitcom. Every week, Carol Burnett and the cast would play different characters in different cities. The people and places in the current week's episode were not the same people and places in last week's episode." —cutepenguin77 20."Can't Hurry Love. I was only 6 when it was on the air, but I definitely remember it. It was kind of a Friends-type of show, but MUCH better. Mariska Hargitay? Yes, please!!!" —peacefulpotato62 21."Our Hero. It's about a girl who was trying to be a blogger before YouTube, LOL. She was making a hand-drawn magazine about her day-to-day life. Loved it." —liraelkl 22."As a tween, I remember the show Herman's Head. It definitely inspired the recent movie Inside Out, but it was tongue-in-cheek, raunchy, and hilarious!" —clevertable50 23."Ok, Sports Night. I might literally be the only person who remembers. Imagine if Aaron Sorkin wrote about a fictional ESPN (he did)." —silkytortoise5038 24."One of my favorite shows no one remembers is The Odyssey. It's about a boy who falls into a coma, but he ends up in a fantasy world in his mind and tries to get back. Ryan Reynolds is the antagonist. I loved this show very much, but people don't remember it." —liraelkl 25."Ghostbusters the cartoon (The Real Ghostbusters). I'd fake sick to stay home and watch it." —progamer795 26."Dark Skies starring Eric Close, Megan Ward, and J. T. Walsh. 'History as we know it is a lie.'" —dizzytrash587 27."This one is from the '80s. USA Network had an all-night variety show. It was called Night Flight. Nobody remembers that." —grouchylight4345 28."I always come to these looking to see if anyone else remembers Seven Days — a show about a CIA agent who goes back in time seven days to prevent bad things from happening." —sparklylion861 29."Does ANYONE remember What-a-Mess? I just had to Google to make sure it wasn't some weird false memory I'd created, LOL." —emilyv11 30."100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd, where he gets turned into a dog and has to do 100 good deeds before getting turned back..." —larisadavis 31."Dangerous Women was 🔥. Casper Van Dien was in it." —odddog14 32."Strange Empire. It was a Canadian show full of cool female leads set in the plains, I think, circa the passing of the 'Indian Act' in 1876. It seemed like there were some really interesting storylines emerging about Indigenous people and women before it got cancelled." —deadpanship144 33."My Secret Identity! Starring a young Jerry O'Connell." —jim9219771 34."I badly miss Doctor Doctor! It's not streaming anywhere either, and it doesn't appear to have ever gotten a home video release, so unless you taped it when it was on, you can't watch it at all now. 😠" —toothlessfeline 35."Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, which was a Dan Aykroyd show. They changed much of the cast after Season 1, and Matt Frewer became the star, with Michael Moriarty." —dizzytrash587 36."How about Battle Creek with Dean Winters ('Mayhem' in insurance commercials)? Great show that was canceled too soon." —silkytree253 37."Now, who else watched Andy Richter Controls the Universe?" —oddrocket298 38."Spyder Games was one I feel like NO ONE talks about that was on MTV." —cherielovee 39."Popular! Whenever I bring it up, no one else has any clue what I'm talking about. It had an amazing cast — Leslie Bibb, Carly Pope, Sara Rue, and Leslie Grossman!" —denaet 40."I'm a fan of the forgotten cartoon Cybersix, based on the Argentinian comic about an android who fights crime at night in black leather and disguises herself as a male high school teacher during the day. Only lasted one season." —five_star 41."I loved a show called Second Noah. I think it got two seasons, and I've never met anyone other than my sister who watched it." —vividavocado85 42."Roar, with a young Heath Ledger and Vera Farmiga. It was an Aussie show that was broadcast in the US. It only aired for one season. I was obsessed and had the hugest crush on Heath. It's set in fifth-century Ireland and the conflict between the Celts and the invading Romans with fantasy elements. It was cheesy but fun, and not as ridiculous as Hercules with Kevin Sorbo." —amandac4b39f8d18 43."Does anyone remember a show called Homefront? Set right after WWII ended, and the boys were coming home. Only two seasons, but it was so good!" —jwilliams5041311 44."Does anyone remember Alien Nation? It was based on the movie, but way better. Unfortunately, it only lasted one season and ended on a cliffhanger." —smileydragon76 45."Punky Brewster the cartoon (It's Punky Brewster). Used to air on Saturday mornings. No one ever remembers that show." —casualmug964 46."Anyone out there remember The World of David the Gnome?! My husband and I have talked about it a hundred times, but I swear we're the only people who seem to have seen it." —fionaelkins82 47."Headbangers Ball on MTV, hosted by Riki Rachtman, was tight!!" —elsag1 48."This reminds me of a show called The Tribe from New Zealand. It was about a bunch of teenagers in a post-apocalyptic world following a plague that killed off all adults." —pbbt 49."I miss Talk Soup but with John Henson, which led me to love all those VH1 commentary shows in the early 2000s like the I Love the '70s and Best Week Ever. I miss my pop culture snark shows." —lilpeas35 finally: "There was an Australian show that aired in Canada called The Girl From Tomorrow about a teen girl who travels back in time. She has this headband thing called a Transducer that allows her to control things. I'm not Australian, so if that show is still remembered there, Aussies, LMK." —five_star Are there any super weird "forgotten" shows you remember from decades ago? Tell us all about them in the comments or in the anonymous comments box below! Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity. Do you love all things TV and movies? Subscribe to the Screen Time newsletter to get your weekly dose of what to watch next and what everyone is flailing over from someone who watches everything! Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kevin Newman's RBI forceout
Kevin Newman grounds into a forceout, scoring Travis d'Arnaud for the first run of the game in the bottom of the 5th inning
