1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Battleground Podcast. 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 2: Fuck You'll Play for all things pro wrestling and. 3 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:17,080 Speaker 3: Exclusive interviews with some of your favorite wrestlers around podcast. 4 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:25,279 Speaker 4: Stop It Good, What time you guys? 5 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: Welcome back into iHeartRadio's official wrestling podcast, the Battleground Podcast, 6 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: And man, what a great way to kick off twenty 7 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: twenty six with today's guests. I don't even really consider 8 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: him a guest anymore. I'm just gonna go ahead and 9 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: say he is a co host because he's been able 10 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: to show so many times. 11 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 4: Give it up for our co host, Tony Kahan joined 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 4: very much. 13 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:46,879 Speaker 3: It's great to see you Tim and Eli, and it 14 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,000 Speaker 3: was great to see Liam earlier and great to be 15 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 3: here with the whole Battleground family. 16 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 4: I appreciate it. 17 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,959 Speaker 3: Y'all come into AEW and we were there around Nashville, 18 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 3: and it's great to see you now back on the. 19 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: Battleground absolutely and it's always great to have you in here. 20 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: So let's kind of jump back a few days ago 21 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five between AAW and the Jags. Twenty twenty 22 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 1: five had to have been a monster year in the 23 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: world of Tony Kahn. What has been the most rewarding 24 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: part of such a huge year for you. 25 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 4: Well, it's been a lot of great things. 26 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 3: It's been an awesome, awesome example of everybody, including the 27 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 3: wrestling fans, coming together. 28 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 4: I think AW is where the best wrestle. 29 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 3: We have the best wrestlers, this incredible staff, and we 30 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 3: have the incredible fans, and I think that together we've 31 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 3: really put together an amazing year. And it starts with 32 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,960 Speaker 3: all of you, including both of you guys, the fans 33 00:01:41,040 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 3: really supporting AW this year. And from when I saw 34 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 3: you guys in January to when I saw you again 35 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 3: at the end of the year in person, when we 36 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 3: did shows in Tennessee, it felt like we came such 37 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 3: a long way. I'm here right now to pick up 38 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 3: the Sports Illustrated Pro Wrestling. 39 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 4: Promotion of the Year Award, and I'm in Las Vegas. 40 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 3: The awards are tonight and then we have a big 41 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 3: lineup tonight. It's the first Wednesday Night aw Dynamite of 42 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six, and after such an incredible twenty twenty. 43 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 4: Five, I can't wait for tonight. 44 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 3: It'll be on seven pm Central, eight pm Eastern, and 45 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 3: it's gonna be a fantastic show on TBS tonight or 46 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 3: streaming on HBO Max. We've been having this incredible, incredible 47 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 3: run of shows. We've been on TBS and TNT and 48 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 3: kept it going for years. And adding HBO Max to 49 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 3: the partnership in twenty twenty five, I think was another 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 3: thing that really helped us take it to another level. 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 3: So it's really a great partnership between the wrestlers, the staff, 52 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 3: the fans, and the media partners. 53 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 4: And that begins with Warner Brothers Discover. Yeah. 54 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:53,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, twenty twenty five is definitely gonna be 55 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 2: one for the books. You guys were awarded so many 56 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 2: end of year awards between Hangman Mail, Wrestler of the 57 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: Year no sorry, Mercedes Mercedes were Female rest of the Year. 58 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 2: You guys were one Promotion of the Year. But from 59 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 2: several publications and award of that nature, you know, is 60 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 2: it hard not the gloat? I mean, you know, is 61 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 2: it hard not to like really kind of soak it 62 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 2: in or is it more like what you guys said 63 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 2: at the beginning of twenty five, you're really gonna just 64 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 2: put your you know, head down, focus and just move 65 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: forward that way. 66 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 3: Well, in twenty twenty four, we didn't win all these 67 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 3: awards and we're building things for the future. You know, 68 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,880 Speaker 3: you could see things at the end of twenty twenty four, 69 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 3: the Death Riders and everything happening with Timeless Tony Storm 70 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 3: and Mariam Ay and Ricochet's evolution in aw and all 71 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 3: these things happening at the end of twenty twenty four. 72 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 4: We took these great things we had and changed some things. 73 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 3: I think at the start of twenty twenty five, and 74 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:50,680 Speaker 3: I told you guys at the start of the year, 75 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 3: I was really gonna put my head down to try 76 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,839 Speaker 3: to make sure twenty twenty five is our best year yet. 77 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: And I think we had certainly a fantastic year. It's 78 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 3: the most awards we've ever won. And to your point, Eli, 79 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 3: in twenty twenty four aw did not win that award. 80 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 3: In twenty twenty five, we did. That's why I'm here 81 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 3: at the SI Awards now and I wasn't invited to 82 00:04:11,360 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 3: this last year. So I think we did put our 83 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 3: head down and do a lot of work. And you know, 84 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 3: I think it's good to be out and promote the show, 85 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,239 Speaker 3: and you've got to find a balance with humility and promotion. 86 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:26,680 Speaker 3: But it's think you can do both and again as 87 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,520 Speaker 3: accordingly so I would be remiss if I didn't say 88 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 3: how grateful I am to you guys for how many 89 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 3: times you've had me on and your listeners for supporting AW, 90 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: watching the shows, hopefully spreading that virus that is pro 91 00:04:41,720 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 3: wrestling to other people trying to make wrestling. 92 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 4: Fans, as you Tim have clearly done with your son. 93 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 3: Who is a great AW fan that I saw you 94 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,359 Speaker 3: guys at ringside at the All Wrestling Show in Nashville. 95 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 4: So I love that. 96 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 3: And I think the fans have really supported us, and 97 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 3: we've delivered great wrest week in week out in twenty 98 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 3: twenty five, and it bodes really well for tonight for 99 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 3: Wednesday Night Dynamite. It'd be a fantastic show. It would 100 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 3: be a great way to start the year on. 101 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 1: Dynamo, absolutely for sure. Of course, our guests on the 102 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: show with us right now, Tony Connin, you know, AW 103 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,040 Speaker 1: feels different now they did in year one. So let 104 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 1: me ask you this, how much of that is creative 105 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,040 Speaker 1: growth and then how much is it just you know, 106 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: kind of learning what it takes to run a massive 107 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: company with so many big names. 108 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 3: There's been a lot of progress, but I would also say, 109 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 3: look at any sports team, and how much change do 110 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 3: you see in seven years, Like any of the teams 111 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 3: you follow, how many of the players are still there 112 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 3: seven years later. 113 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 4: We start to have so many of the great original. 114 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:42,680 Speaker 3: Stars, and we've made a great push to sign the 115 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 3: top free agents year in, year out, and I think 116 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 3: we've built the best wrestling roster in the world and 117 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 3: changes I think mostly for the positive and certainly the 118 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 3: recognition we're getting for those contributions to. 119 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 4: Wrestling and the work we've done. It's very gratifying and 120 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 4: I'm very proud of it. I think with any. 121 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 3: Sports team or any entertainment property, and wrestling is really 122 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 3: one of the only things that fits in with TV 123 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 3: and film and the excitement of the rivalries and the 124 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:15,799 Speaker 3: way the story telling unfolds, but also the hard hitting 125 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 3: action and the matches, and that wrestling begins it ends 126 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 3: with wrestling, So it's a sport. These are athletes that 127 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 3: do this fifty two weeks a year. I'm so proud 128 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 3: of the aw wrestlers. They won awards, whether it's Hangman 129 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 3: Page Male Wrestler of the Year, Mercedes Monet, Female Wrestler 130 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:36,840 Speaker 3: of the Year, Eli Timeless, Tony Storm did win Best 131 00:06:36,880 --> 00:06:40,280 Speaker 3: on the mic, she was best on the microphone, Will Osprey, 132 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 3: Best Entering Wrestler, FTR Tag Team of the Year, one 133 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 3: Tag Team of the Year on ESPN, and Sports Illustrated, Breakout. 134 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 4: Wrestler of the Year Kyle Fletcher. 135 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 3: Kyle Fletcher won, and Sports Illustrated and ESPN Monster. 136 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, incredible year. 137 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:59,119 Speaker 3: And to have all these great things, the rivalry between 138 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 3: Hangman Page and On Moxley, the rivalry of the Year, 139 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,919 Speaker 3: Hangman's Redemption, the story of the Year, the Show of 140 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 3: the Year, aw double or Nothing, and to have aw 141 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 3: voted the pro wrestling promotion of the Year by the 142 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 3: journalist panel at Sports Illustrated. 143 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 4: That's amazing. 144 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 3: And I thought it was really cool when the ESPN 145 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 3: Awards came out yesterday on ESPN they had, like I said, 146 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 3: FTR Tag Team of the Year, Kyle Fletcher, Breakout Wrestler 147 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 3: of the Year, Harley Cameron, Most Improved. And I also 148 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 3: thought it was cool they had aw Revolution as the. 149 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 4: Best show of the year. 150 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 3: It speaks to the quality of the company that Revolution 151 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 3: was ESPN's pick for the best wrestling show in the 152 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 3: world last year, and Sports Illustrated thought the best wrestling 153 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 3: show in the world was double or nothing. I think 154 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 3: there's a lot of people that would say the best 155 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 3: wrestling show last year was aw All in Texas. So 156 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 3: we really put out so many tremendous shows throughout the year. 157 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 3: Those three were excellent, but it's a fifty two week 158 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 3: year business, and we put out so many tremendous shows, 159 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 3: Dynamites and collisions like Spring Breakthrough, Grand Slam Australia, Grand 160 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 3: Slam Mexico, and so many others, including ending the year 161 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 3: on such a high note with a series of great 162 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 3: shows like Christmas Collision and New Year's Mash. These are 163 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: great shows with great wrestling. So for anybody who likes wrestling, 164 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 3: you can watch the show every Wednesday on TBS, every 165 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 3: Saturday on TNT, and you can stream everything on HBO 166 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 3: Max too. 167 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 4: So it's a really exciting time for us. 168 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 3: With all the partnerships that we built worldwide, especially here 169 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 3: in America with HBO and TNT and TBS, and with 170 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 3: tonight being the first Dynamite of this year, coming off 171 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 3: the success at twenty twenty five, this will be an 172 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 3: awesome show tonight. 173 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 4: You won't want to miss it. 174 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know one thing that's been kind of a 175 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:54,559 Speaker 2: success story for you, like specifically, you've kind of redefined 176 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 2: what success looks like when it comes to dealing with 177 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: outside promotions and stuff like that. What do you thinks 178 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 2: the biggest misconceptions you know fans still have about competition 179 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:05,320 Speaker 2: and wrestling. 180 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 4: Well, I'm not sure. 181 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 3: I can't say what people necessarily conceiver don't or misconceiver don't, 182 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 3: but I would say I would think probably people may 183 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 3: not know how great a collaboration we've been able to 184 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:24,480 Speaker 3: build with partners around the world. New Japan Pro Wrestling 185 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 3: has become a great partner of AW. 186 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 4: Wasn't that way at the start. 187 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 3: JMLLL has now become a great partner of AW. These 188 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 3: are fantastic partners CMLL in New Japan Pro Wrestling. 189 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 4: I'm very honored to be able to work with them. 190 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 3: We have a great relationship with Salvador and everyone at CMLL, 191 00:09:42,920 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 3: and of course President Tanahashi just celebrated his retirement and 192 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 3: I was very glad that AW was able to be 193 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 3: represented there, and I think that he's had one of 194 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 3: the most fantastic careers and to see the massive, massive 195 00:09:56,440 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 3: success of Wrestling Kingdom, headlined by mister ton Hashi's retirement 196 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 3: match and this epic about with Okata versus tana Hashi 197 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 3: and the retirement of Arroshi tana Hashi. I thought that 198 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 3: was so special, and I think it's a great example 199 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 3: of some of the great things that can be achieved 200 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 3: to have the massive audience that the show pulled and 201 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 3: the huge crowd live and the TV audience very befitting 202 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 3: tana Hashi's legendary status. 203 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 4: He's a great choice to be the president of New Japan. 204 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 3: We're very blessed to work with him, and I'm so 205 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 3: glad that his retirement was a great success, and I 206 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,959 Speaker 3: think it's a tribute to him and we're just blessed 207 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 3: to be a part of that. So we're great, great 208 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 3: partners with each other, I think with CMLA and New 209 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 3: Japan Pro Wrestling, and I'm very proud of those relationships. 210 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 3: So you know, wrestling companies around the world can work 211 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 3: together successfully. 212 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:55,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. 213 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 2: You mentioned to sorry to sketch out battles. The scudos 214 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 2: to cml I mean, a monster year twenty twenty five 215 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: for them as well, So it looks like all the 216 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 2: partners are kind of right rising each other up. 217 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,839 Speaker 4: A little bit. Absolutely, it's been fantastic. 218 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,319 Speaker 2: And Claudia being the world champion. It's just incredible. Sorry, 219 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 2: we love Claudia over here. 220 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I love Claudia. He's awesome. Yeah. 221 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,719 Speaker 1: Now, you mentioned working with New Japan, and one thing 222 00:11:18,720 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: that a lot of fans were excited about was they 223 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: announced that the g One Climax is coming to your 224 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: backyard of Chicago. How much has AW involved in this 225 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: and are you involved in this creatively at all? Are 226 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: you just you know, strictly letting New Japan do their 227 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:33,280 Speaker 1: thing with this. 228 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:33,679 Speaker 3: No. 229 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 4: New Japan may. 230 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 3: Come to meet a book wrestlers into the tournament, but 231 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 3: how they handle their business that's completely New Japan's prerogative. 232 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 3: But we may work together. I think there could potentially 233 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 3: be involvement from AW wrestlers. I believe there will be 234 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:52,839 Speaker 3: based on our early talks. So I'm excited about that. 235 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 3: And the g One come in this summer do America. 236 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's gonna be fun. And you know, the one 237 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: thing that we love to see is, like you said, 238 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: you mentioned the collabse with CML and New Japan. How 239 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 1: do you balance being a fan versus being a businessman 240 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: protecting your own brand of AW with working with these 241 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: other companies. 242 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 3: Let's like so many other things, you know, partnerships, friendships. 243 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,320 Speaker 3: In sports, you can work together and help each other 244 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:22,559 Speaker 3: and be collaborative. And obviously you're all running your own 245 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:26,720 Speaker 3: teams and your own leagues, but it's possible for sports 246 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 3: teams to be collaborative and work together, and it's possible 247 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:33,080 Speaker 3: for wrestling leagues to work together and be collaborative. And 248 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 3: thankfully we're not playing head to head, it's not like that. 249 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,560 Speaker 3: So it's great to be able to have aw having 250 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,839 Speaker 3: an amazing twenty twenty five ANCR partners having in great 251 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 3: times too. Well. 252 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 2: You mentioned the big show tonight Dynamite for first of 253 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six to be on tps'. 254 00:12:55,120 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 4: Is all right? Is that on TVs? 255 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 3: Yeah? 256 00:12:57,480 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 4: Okay? 257 00:12:58,840 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: I was Lio Max. 258 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 2: I was like, is this TNT okay, TVs and HBO Max. 259 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 2: A couple of little highlights. John Moxley versus Shelton Benjamin 260 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 2: huge huge implications there. It's a Continental Championship eliminator match, right, 261 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 2: Bendido versus Sammy Gervara. Now that match is for if 262 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 2: Sammy wins, he gets the world title shot. 263 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 3: Well, he says he's going to put Bandido out and 264 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 3: Bandido is not going to make it out of this match, 265 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 3: and Sammy's got a legitimate beef with Bandido. Bandido wasn't 266 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 3: trying to do anything or hurt anybody, but Rusche was 267 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 3: injured in this match. 268 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 4: Rushe and Sammy were on a role in ROH and I. 269 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 3: Think doing some of the most exciting work Sammy's had 270 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 3: in years, and I really like the partnership now. Beast 271 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 3: Mortos is excellent. He stepped up and he's Sammy's partner, 272 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 3: but they're both very tied with Rouge and they both 273 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 3: don't want to see Bandido succeed. We saw Beast Morto's 274 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,079 Speaker 3: take on Bandido last week. Sammy said on Collision He's 275 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 3: coming to take Bandido out and take a spot. Bendido 276 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,559 Speaker 3: is the most wanted man, and one week from tonight 277 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:01,200 Speaker 3: he challenges MJF for the aw World. Bandido's already the 278 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 3: ROH World Champion. He could become the first man ever 279 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 3: to hold both those titles at the same time. 280 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 4: He would join a. 281 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 3: Very, very prestigious list of people that have held both championships. 282 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,680 Speaker 3: Nobody's ever held them at the same time. Bandido is 283 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 3: one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. I think 284 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 3: he's done some of the best wrestling and had some 285 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 3: of the greatest matches and some of the gutsiest fights 286 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 3: I've seen all over the world in the past year, 287 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 3: and I'm really excited for that. So to have Bandido 288 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:31,359 Speaker 3: wrestling tonight, I had a maximum carnage. 289 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 4: It's pretty cool. 290 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 3: And MJF the AW World Champion, is in the house tonight. 291 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 3: We'll hear from him and for sure he'll be watching 292 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 3: Bandido versus Sammy Govara very closely tonight too, just like 293 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 3: the rest of us. 294 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 2: Well, and another marquee match, just to get your thoughts 295 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 2: on it. Hangman, Adam Page and Swear Strickland against the 296 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 2: Ops of Hook and Powerhouse Hobs and now this is 297 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 2: going to be in a lights out match. There's been 298 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 2: a lot of tension and turmoil between Ops and Hangman 299 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 2: and s coming out of the world title match and everything. 300 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 2: What are we looking forward to in this match. 301 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 3: I'm looking forward to a hard hitting fight. A lights 302 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 3: out match is always an exciting thing in AW and 303 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 3: I think this is going to be a wild fight 304 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 3: and it should be a lot of fun. 305 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 4: I'm really looking forward to it, and I think it'll 306 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 4: be awesome. 307 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 3: They're gonna beat the hell out of each other, and 308 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 3: Hangman and Swerve seeing them have a common goal. I 309 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 3: like both of them a lot, and it's nice seeing 310 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 3: them on the same page. To me, even though I 311 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 3: think there's still bad blood between them, they have common enemies, 312 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,800 Speaker 3: and the ops are some of the most dangerous wrestlers, obviously, 313 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 3: after everything Hook's done to hang In in particular, I 314 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 3: know Hangman's wanted to get his hands on Hook for 315 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 3: a really long time, So I think this would be 316 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 3: an awesome match. 317 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 4: And anytime Hangman or. 318 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,880 Speaker 3: Swerve are involved in a lights out match, it's very 319 00:15:57,920 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 3: exciting to begin with. 320 00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 4: And now they're both in the match, that's incredible. 321 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 3: And they'll have great competition with Hook and Powerhouse Hobbs, 322 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 3: who's one third of the World Trios Champions and somebody 323 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 3: else who's done amazing things in aw and very excited 324 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 3: about that light and. 325 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 2: The greatest second generation wrestler of all time. 326 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 4: Evidently yeah allegedly. 327 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, of course. 328 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 1: Watch aw Dynamite Tonight eight Eesterron seven Central. You can 329 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: check it out TVs. HBO Max. It's fantastic. Now I 330 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 1: do want to go back for a second because there 331 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 1: was a lot of aw wrestlers on Wrestle Kingdom. And 332 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: one of the things that a lot of people on 333 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: the internet were talking about was when Andrade was introduced. 334 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: Later in the night, commentary noted his association with All 335 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: Elite Wrestling. Is there any update with Andrade or is that? 336 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: Do you want to clear the air on that. 337 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 4: I'd say that bodes well, wouldn't you. I think it does. 338 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 4: I think it bodes very well. 339 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 2: It looks like we're heading towards maybe at match with 340 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 2: him and Kenny Omega. So if we get that, it's 341 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 2: voting very well, voting very well. Oh man, it's awesome 342 00:17:03,320 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 2: to hear that stuff. 343 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 1: And of course, you know, Tony con is our guest 344 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: here on the show, is what do you think because 345 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: everybody likes to talk about on the internet creative freedom 346 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,720 Speaker 1: and creative control, what do you think is the biggest 347 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: misconceptions fans have about that creative freedom or that creative control. 348 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:22,640 Speaker 4: There's no creative control. Only I have it. No wrestler 349 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:23,040 Speaker 4: has that. 350 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 3: And there's a lot of freedom to work with the 351 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,239 Speaker 3: staff and the coaches and the wrestlers together and come 352 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,200 Speaker 3: up with ideas. I am one of the most collaborative 353 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:36,320 Speaker 3: people on the plan, and that's how I've been able 354 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:39,960 Speaker 3: to succeed in multiple sports and build the greatest sports 355 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 3: analytics engineering firm in the world, True Media, where we 356 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 3: service twenty nine out of the thirty Major League Baseball 357 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 3: teams and the one team we. 358 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:49,919 Speaker 4: Don't have, their pitchers buy it out of their own pocket, 359 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 4: so and that team shall remain nameless. 360 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 3: And they're not anybody's favorite other than a lot of people's. 361 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,879 Speaker 2: But you know, I had a couple of guesses. 362 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,119 Speaker 3: There are a lot of people's favorite, and there are 363 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 3: a lot of people's least favorite. 364 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:07,120 Speaker 4: But they're a huge organization. 365 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,199 Speaker 3: Hopefully they'll sign up with us somedays so the pictures 366 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 3: don't have to pass out of their own pocket. 367 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 4: So we do great things. 368 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 3: I love working with partners all over the world, media partners, 369 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 3: and in wrestling, I think we are really collaborative, and 370 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 3: when AW is at its best, that's what it is 371 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:27,000 Speaker 3: is the wrestlers coming in with ideas, I come in 372 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 3: with ideas. 373 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 4: We work together, and that's what I love. 374 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, and we've kind of gathered that as much from 375 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: anytime we've had your roster on the show, when we've 376 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: talked about that. They're like, hey, I've got this idea. 377 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:42,000 Speaker 1: I ran it by Tony. He tweaked it this way. 378 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: I talked about this. And that's something cool that you 379 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:48,879 Speaker 1: don't normally hear is they could come to their boss 380 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 1: and collaborate and say, hey, I've got this idea and 381 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: you're like, I like that, but what if we do 382 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 1: it this way right? 383 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 3: And a lot of times there's ideas that are fantastic 384 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 3: and I say, that's a great idea. There's other times 385 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,800 Speaker 3: where maybe it isn't necessarily going to work, and there 386 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,600 Speaker 3: may be something to it, but the timing or the 387 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 3: scheduling or something about it doesn't work. A lot of 388 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 3: times the wrestlers come up with great ideas, but I 389 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 3: have to choose what we do and don't do, and 390 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 3: within the constraints of doing two hour TV shows, there's 391 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 3: only so many things you can do. So I think 392 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:21,919 Speaker 3: we've been really great about pacing the TV shows and 393 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 3: putting on great TV shows every Wednesday on TBS and 394 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 3: every Saturday on T and T, and now with everything 395 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 3: being on HBO, Max and I really love trying to 396 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 3: find things, trying to find ways to work with and 397 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:39,200 Speaker 3: collaborate with the wrestlers and the staff and the great 398 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 3: people in aw and I also come up with a 399 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 3: lot of ideas. 400 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 4: Myself and trying to find. 401 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,600 Speaker 3: A way to take my own ideas and the ideas 402 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 3: of other people and make. 403 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 4: It all work. 404 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: And it seems like the whole collabing and everybody working 405 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: together has paid off, because you're racking up on tons 406 00:19:57,320 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: of year end awards and looking forward to seeing more 407 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:02,719 Speaker 1: awards happening at the end of twenty twenty six. And 408 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: even though I am a Tennessee Titans fan, I'm cheering 409 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: on the Jaguars to all this year because I made 410 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: somebody from the AFC South to win and not the Texans. 411 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 4: You may be a Tennessee Titans fan, but your son 412 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 4: is a big jab warry, that is true. 413 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:17,760 Speaker 1: He is wearing his Trevor Lawrence jersey all over the place. 414 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: But again, Tony Kahan is our co host on the 415 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 1: show today, not special guests. Before we let you go, 416 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:25,879 Speaker 1: is there anything you want to say to the fans 417 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 1: watching or listening to this right now? 418 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 4: God bless you all. I really appreciate y'all. 419 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 3: Thank you for taking the time to listen to Battleground 420 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 3: with me on it, and thank you for supporting Tim 421 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 3: and Eli and Liam and the old Battleground family, and 422 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 3: thanks for supporting aw All Elite Wrestling. We have great shows. 423 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:46,880 Speaker 3: We do shows every Wednesday night on TBS, every Saturday 424 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 3: night on TNT. We were just voted the best wrestling 425 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 3: promotion in the world by Sports Illustrated. We've won numerous 426 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 3: awards this year from Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Yahoo, all these 427 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:01,359 Speaker 3: great publications, and the most important thing of all, we 428 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 3: have great support from fans. If you haven't seen the show, 429 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:06,120 Speaker 3: or if you haven't seen it in a while, come 430 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 3: check out tonight. 431 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:08,199 Speaker 4: It's on tonight. 432 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 3: It's on seven pm Central Time for you guys in Nashville, 433 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 3: but eight pm Eastern eight pm for a lot of 434 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 3: the country that listens to your show. 435 00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:16,880 Speaker 4: Now that you're a big national star. 436 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 3: And try and do at least Yeah, but it would 437 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 3: be a great show tonight, and I really appreciate you 438 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,680 Speaker 3: having me on again to talk about it. I think 439 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 3: I've turned into like the Steve Martin of your show, 440 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 3: which is good. 441 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 4: So I really appreciate you having me on again. 442 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 3: Thank you, guys, and hopefully you guys enjoy the show tonight, 443 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:39,439 Speaker 3: AW Wednesday Night, Ninea Ie tonight on TBS. We're streaming 444 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 3: on HBO Max. But we just really appreciate you guys 445 00:21:42,600 --> 00:21:46,400 Speaker 3: always having AW guests on, and me in particular being 446 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 3: here so often. 447 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:47,520 Speaker 4: Thank you,