117 - Is WWE Really Listening? | A Commentary on Dave Meltzer’s Mini-Autobiography in the Wrestling Observer | Episode 1 of Finding Pro Wrestling w/ Les Moore & Hugh Little
Release Date: 09/15/2018
119 – Meltzer Quibbles with Roman Reigns Cancer Treatment | Ronda Rousey Fallout | Bruce Prichard Mystery
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet called out Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter over Meltzer's quibbling over the type of treatment WWE Superstar Roman Reigns said he’d received for his leukemia. Les Moore takes a look at the latest controversy that erupted online. Then he looks at the reactions to how the Raw Women's title angle has been booked leading to the WrestleMania main event, with reactions from the Pro Wrestling Torch's Wade Keller and Todd Martin from their show earlier this week. Then, Bryan Alvarez plays Guess the Dirt with Dave Meltzer over why the booking has...
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118 - Wrestling Media Reacts to the Brie Bella Blunder | WWE Philanthropy on Raw | Over-Analyzing Then, Now, Forever
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Les and Hugh tackle the topic that was on a lot of minds this week: who’s to blame for that terrible situation involving Liv Morgan and Brie Bella on WWE Raw this week where Morgan was momentarily knocked unconscious from Bella’s YES! Kicks gone awry. We look at how the arguments took shape, and how wrestling media could stand to be more measured in their coverage of situations like this, rather than chime in with instant reactions on twitter that feed into the noisy debate. WWE had a long segment on Raw devoted to their charitable efforts, and many are blaming this as potentially ratings...
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117 - Is WWE Really Listening? | A Commentary on Dave Meltzer’s Mini-Autobiography in the Wrestling Observer | Episode 1 of Finding Pro Wrestling w/ Les Moore & Hugh Little
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
The guys get back together again to talk over the week in pro wrestling media, including articles by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp and Deadspin’s David Bixenspan looking at WWE’s tendency to not listen to their fans compared to Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon’s remarks this week touting how WWE’s success is all because the company DOES listen to its fans… Meanwhile, Smackdown Live head creative writer Brian James argues with fans about the Becky Lynch storyline. It’s a fascinating dichotomy. Les offers his commentary in reaction to Dave Meltzer’s autobiography, which is at...
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116 - All In Pulls Les & Hugh Back In | The Era of WWE Alternatives | Catching Up with Indie Wrestling | Has Wrestling Media Been Co-opted?
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Coming out of last weekend’s All In show, the topic of whether wrestling media has been co-opted has been a frequently discussed point. Les unpacks the topic with his thoughts of media ethics, the differences between wrestling media and other sports and entertainment journalism, and looks at the topic of “access” for wrestling media at big shows. But first, Hugh and Les catch up with each other after 6 months off the air, and talk over what’s piquing their interests in wrestling, and what they’re interested in learning more about. Join the good brothers for the return of Talking...
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115 - Talking Wrestling Journalism with David Bixenspan | Brock Lesnar & Roman Reigns Storyline from WWE Raw | Justin Barrasso’s Report on Rey Mysterio vs John Cena at WrestleMania | WWE to Fox?
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Deadspin and Fightful contributor David Bixenspan stops by to talk with Les and Hugh about wrestling journalism, including talking about Six’s recent appearance on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast to debate the subject. We talk about the journalistic practices of Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and also how the bad habits and practices of wrestling news sites can sometimes paint Meltzer in a bad light. Then we talk some of the major topics of the week, including the Roman Reigns Raw segment that saw him “shooting” on Brock Lesnar, Justin Barrasso’s Sports...
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114 - Will WWE Brand Split End? | Elimination Chamber Intrigue | Elgin Booking Backlash Story | Wrestling Journalism Questioned by Sam Roberts | Bixenspan’s Deadspin Response | Wade Keller’s Response | Wrestling Media Surveys
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Our show today covers the recent question by Sam Roberts on his podcast of whether journalism in wrestling exists. We look at David Bixenspan’s article on Deadspin regarding the topic, and WWE’s attitude toward wrestling reporters and websites, as well as Wade Keller’s response to the topic on twitter. But first, the question is now being asked whether or not WWE’s upcoming switch to dual-branded PPV shows could spell the end of the Raw and Smackdown brand split. We explore some of the responses to this question from last week by PW Torch’s Todd Martin as well as Dave Meltzer on...
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113 - WWE Announces Dual Brand PPVs | PowerBombTV | Cena & Rousey WrestleMania Plans | Bruce Mitchell on New Day & Race | F4Wonline Loses Podcast Host to PW Torch | Abbey Arthur’s Cancer Scam
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Les and Hugh are back to scratch the surface of a huge week in wrestling coverage, including the bizarre case of a wrestling writer apparently faking cancer, and scamming her friends and followers out of $10k through GoFundMe and Ko-fi. But first, we look at the recent upheaval and reaction to PowerBomb.tv parting ways with co-founder Adam Lash. We discuss the fear among many wrestling pundits that co-branded WWE pay per view events may mean more multi-wrestler matches, longer shows, shorter matches or all of the above! John Cena’s storyline sucks, and is unbelievable according to most Raw...
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112 - Ronda Rousey WrestleMania Plans and WWE Schedule | Dave Meltzer on Rousey’s Success Potential | Scherer Calls Nikki Bella “Honey” | Coachman & Borash Signings | Rollins Blocks Alvarez | Shepard Promotes Checkbook Journalism
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Les Moore looks back at the week in wrestling news coverage, from a HUGE weekend from WWE with NXT Takeover and the Royal Rumble, to the signings of Ronda Rousey, Jonathan Coachman and Jeremy Borash, to a special commentary on integrity in wrestling journalism, and how one reporter this week seemingly announced his intention to engage in checkbook journalism. We look at Dave Meltzer’s analysis of Ronda Rousey in WWE, and how he believes she should be used. Mike Johnson from PWInsider took umbrage with WWE and Rousey’s use of the term “full time,” and believes it is insulting to actual...
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111 - Final Royal Rumble Coverage | Complete Look at Enzo Amore Story | Coverage Hits and Misses from Meltzer, Satin, Sean Ross Sapp & More | Vince McMahon’s XFL Announcement | Raw 25 Coverage Jousts & More
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Les and Hugh are back to major wrestling news coverage for the week. We look at the final coverage ahead of Sunday’s Royal Rumble event on the WWE Network, including the bizarre inflation of coverage surrounding Daniel Bryan’s odds for appearing and winning, and the continued negative reaction Stephanie McMahon gets every time she’s involved in anything relating to the WWE product. The Enzo Amore situation is looked at in detail, including a look at how wrestling coverage often blurs the lines between editorializing and reporting, which isn’t always the best for certain types of...
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110 - Roman Reigns Non-Story Turns Into Story | Braun Strowman Joust | WWE Signings | Dave Meltzer’s Push for Tessa Blanchard | Rosenberg Eats Foot | Paige | Curious Case of Daniel Bryan Odds
Talking Sheet | Pro Wrestling & Wrestling News / Insider Newsletters / WWE / Observer / F4W / SheetSandwich
Les Moore breaks down the coverage of the week, including a look at Roman Reigns being alleged to be a customer of jailed a steroids dealer, and how that story developed over the week. We have a coverage joust on the Braun Strowman segment from WWE Raw this past Monday with clips from Fightful, POST Wrestling, PW Torch’s Fix with Todd Martin & Bruce Mitchell Audio Show as well as F4Wonline’s Wresting Observer Radio. WWE signings were perhaps most notable this week for who wasn’t signed, after months of speculation and hints that she would be a “no brainer” by Dave Meltzer, Tessa...
info_outlineThe guys get back together again to talk over the week in pro wrestling media, including articles by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp and Deadspin’s David Bixenspan looking at WWE’s tendency to not listen to their fans compared to Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon’s remarks this week touting how WWE’s success is all because the company DOES listen to its fans… Meanwhile, Smackdown Live head creative writer Brian James argues with fans about the Becky Lynch storyline. It’s a fascinating dichotomy.
Les offers his commentary in reaction to Dave Meltzer’s autobiography, which is at once an engaging, interesting tale of the wrestling writer’s early fandom and career writing about the business while also being a defensive, partially self-aggrandizing take from a reporter unwilling to accept even the most reasonable criticism about his work.
Lastly, stick around for the pilot episode of a new, spinoff podcast from Les and Hugh called Finding Pro Wrestling, where the fellas talk about the wrestling they watching for the week, what they loved about it, and what they might be checking out in the near future.
They talk over their thoughts on the Golden Lovers vs Ishii and Will Ospreay from NJPW’s Road to Dominion show last week, as well as thoughts on MLW, les talks about his newfound love of Pentagon Jr. and much more.
Les is @prowrestling
Hugh is @HughLittleSheet
the show is @TalkingSheetPod