ABSURD! w/ Joe Feeney

On Episode 63 we speak to Pat McNeill of the PWTorch about WWE Extreme Rules, and the fallout the following night on Raw. Topics include Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler and where his career has gone, Anderson & Gallows vs. The Usos, Rusev vs. Kalisto with John Cena's return looming, The New Day vs. The Vaudevillains, and WWE's usage of NXT talents. We also talk about the excellent four way match for the Intercontinental Championship between The Miz (c), Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Cesaro, and what the future holds for the four of them, especially as it pertains to Money In The Bank. We discuss the Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose "Asylum" match and muse over what went right and what went wrong, Jericho's "bucket list bump," and Ambrose's potential as a heel and a top guy. The Women's Championship match between Charlotte (c) and Natayla is gone over, including Dana Brooke's role now that Emma is injured, Ric Flair's role after last night's vicious Charlotte promo, and when, if ever, WWE will finally throw Natty a bone. And finally we talk about the tremendous main event between AJ Styles and Roman Reigns, including Styles' performances since joining WWE in January, Reigns' "polarizing" reactions from the fans, and the return of Seth Rollins. Who do we see as the Money In The Bank winner? What does the future hold for AJ Styles in WWE? Will Finn Balor EVER debut? And more.

Check out Pat McNeill's work on PWTorch.com, including a free podcast on Wednesday with guests, and a members only podcast on Saturday, which parodies various events in WWE history in an MST3K style.

Subscribe to Creative Control on iTunes and Stitcher, and please check out the Creative Control Pro Wrestling Tees store, at prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithjoefeeney

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Episode 62's guest is someone who is and will be fondly remembered in WWE lore for decades to come, and that is Santino Marella. This episode is a real treat, as we get a look at more of the man than the character, getting into Santino's legit past in MMA, and find out how he made his way down to OVW where he was trained, and signed from by WWE. He mentions the trainer who he learned the most from, as well as what he thought about working under Paul Heyman with a very different gimmick than what he eventually debuted as. Santino Marella is, of course, that gimmick, and we discuss his big debut in Italy, beating Umaga for the Intercontinental Championship. Shortly thereafter, he lost the title back to Umaga, and eventually turned heel. He talks about how and why he believes the original way the character was portrayed didn't get over with the audience, and briefly covers working with Maria Kanellis. From there, Santino always seemed to be in the mix with big name returning stars, and celebrity guests, showing the trust the company began to have in him. We covered his times mixing it up with names like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Snoop Dogg, and even possible Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump! Santino wasn't very impressed with Trump's abilities as an entertainer, and he explains why. We go over the "Glamarella" team, his second IC title run, and the Honkameter. He also had some unique appearances in the Royal Rumble, including one of the quickest eliminations of all time, and lasting until the final two with Alberto Del Rio in 2011. Santino then talks about the audience's unique connection to the character in an almost "Rocky Balboa" like way, as he would always be so close to winning a big one or climbing further up the ladder, only to ultimately lose. We discuss his championship team with Vladimir Kozlov, and how their association changed his character. We go over many other things, including wrestling conventions, working with John Laurinaitis both behind the curtain and in front of the camera, how he came up with "The Cobra," and the ultimate battle between his Cobra and Mick Foley's "Mr. Socko," the return of Brock Lesnar, CM Punk's departure and his chances at succeeding in the UFC, the WWE Network, the neck injuries that ultimately shortened his in-ring career, and finally, the problems with NXT gimmicks not working on the main roster, as well as working with Emma, and what may have shortened their team and their angle together.

We also discuss Santino's "Battle Arts Academy," what inspired it, what he hopes for it in the future, and if it could ultimately become a feeder program for NXT. You can visit Battle Arts Academy at battleartsacademy.ca and you can follow Santino on Twitter at @milanmiracle.

Please support Creative Control by going to prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithjoefeeney and checking out our t shirts. The first fan to buy one of each of our three shirts wins an AJ Styles autographed figure!

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It's round two on Creative Control with the great Les Thatcher! We start by discussing Smokey Mountain Wrestling and that promotion's infamous "Fan Week" conventions, and we go from there to talking about Les' experiences as a color commentator, and his advice for anyone aspiring to be a pro wrestling commentator or announcer today. We go over Dean Ambrose, the WWE's use of him, and how Les and I felt about the Ambrose vs. Lesnar storyline and match at Wrestlemania. I ask Les his thoughts on the current utilization of Roman Reigns as something of a tweener. We cover Jim Cornette's war of words with internet favorites like The Young Bucks, Joey Ryan, and Kenny Omega, and how Les feels about some of their more controversial antics as of late. We talk about what advice he would give to aspiring wrestlers, and what was the best piece of advice he was ever given while he was breaking into the business. And finally we discuss Ryback's newly infamous post about the WWE, the pay scale, and more.

Les Thatcher is available for seminar bookings, and you can reach him at [email protected] or on Facebook.

Les can be seen this summer in July at both Ground Zero Wrestling from July 8-10 in Richmond Virginia, and Why We Wrestle on July 30th. He will also be present at the Charlotte NWA Fanfest, and will be running a 4 day wrestling camp, alongside Rip Rogers, Dr. Tom Prichard, and Nigel McGuinness.

You can support Creative Control by going to prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithjoefeeney and follow it on Twitter at twitter.com/jffeeney3rd

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"The King Of The Mountain" returns to Creative Control! On episode 60, former NWA, TNA, WCW, and WWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett comes on to talk about his baby, Global Force Wrestling and how the promotion is doing headed into the second half of 2016. We talk about GFW Amped, and how some of the WWE and NXT's recent talent acquisitions may or may not affect the presentation of some talents on the show. We cover GFW's working agreements with promotions all over the globe, up to and including England, where Global Force was recently, for a successful run of shows, behind their champion, Nick Aldis and Doug Williams. We talk about GFW's Grand Slam tour, and if there are more shows like that in the works. We go over January's GFW vs. PWS show, and the GFW vs. Wrestlepro show coming up on June 11th in Keyport, NJ. Jeff discusses what he looks for in a potential GFW talent in 2016, and how to reach either himself or GFW, so for the indy wrestlers in our audience, listen up! We also go over Jeff's return to TNA with Global Force, how he felt about that, and whether or not he believes that TNA's recent television struggles will negatively affect another promotion trying to get on national TV in the US. Jeff also talks about AJ Styles, and watching him mature in New Japan, as well as his current WWE run. Does Jeff ever see himself working with WWE in any form or fashion? And finally, what can the wrestling fans expect from Global Force Wrestling in both the short and long term?

Global Force Wrestling will be hitting the following cities in the coming weeks:

5-13-16: Joppa, Maryland with MCW
5-14-16: Penn Laird, Virginia
5-15-16: Hickory, North Carolin with AML

6-3-16: McKeesport, PA with PWX & RWA
6-4-16: Scranton, PA

6-11-16: Keyport, NJ, with WrestlePro

7-1-16: Marion, Illinois and more to come!

Please check out the Creative Control official t shirt store at prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithJoeFeeney and check out the new t shirt designs, including the "Make Pro Wrestling Creative Again" shirt!

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Episode 59 is a gem of an episode. Do you know who Austin Bradley is? Well you will! Bradley started training right out of high school at 18 with Nick Dinsmore at OVW. Also helping with his training were names like Rip Rogers, and Al Snow. He talks about his training, working for OVW, and his first match, as well as how Rip Rogers hilariously made sure he lost his case of nerves beforehand! He covers working with guys like Rob Terry, Jay Bradley, and King Mo in OVW, and his close friendship that developed with Mo. He goes over his departure from OVW, and calls out someone who claims to have had a hand in his training, but in fact had none at all. He goes over working for D1W and Rick Brady. He discusses meeting Madman Pondo, and how helpful Pondo has been in his career. We touch on his successful tag team #Spotlight/Danger Zone with Kyle Maverick, and working with Tracy Smothers. He tells the story about his first concussion, and about working an IPPV match shortly thereafter with Adam Gooch. Austin has also had some experience working for the Insane Clown Posse in JCW, including a death match with the one and only Necro Butcher. We talk about that and his other experiences there, and all over the mid south, until he got the invite to Japan. Austin trained with and wrestled for Zero One in Japan, and he talks about that as well as the cultural differences and how he took to them. He also happened to be in Japan during two major earthquakes, one while extremely hungover after a sponsor dinner! He tells the tale of how Zero One helped after the disaster, the press coverage, and how it made him feel. And finally we go over his injury that unfortunately led to him being sent home, and we talk about his future, both here in the states, and in Japan and possibly England. Austin is a confident, talented kid, and I see big things for him all over the world, in professional wrestling.

Please check out Austin Bradley on his Facebook page, and follow his work in promotions like IWA East Coast, ASW, and Resistance Pro, as well as Zero One in Japan.

And please check out the Creative Control official t shirt store at prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithjoefeeney

Currently a t shirt purchase comes with a free surprise gift!

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It's a guest-less show, that's right, one hour and twenty five minutes of me just ranting and raving. Nah, actually, I am way more level headed than my Post Wrestlemania show, so if you enjoyed all that anger and cursing, there isn't as much here...but there's still some. This episode will go over Payback, all the matches and results. I go over Baron Corbin and the buffonery of having him job on the preshow, after winning the Andre Battle Royal. I talk about Dolph Ziggler's career, and where he could possibly go, and if WWE will ever give him a top chance again. I touch on Kalisto and Ryback's match, and Ryback's uncertain future with WWE. Enzo's injury during the #1 contender tag match is up next, and I go over various ideas behind how it happened. I touch on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, what I'd like to see for them in the future, Zayn's dangerous suplex, and Owens and how WWE likely sees him today. I ponder the future of the IC title, and how Miz and Cesaro fit in. Chris Jericho vs. Dean Ambrose is discussed, and Jericho's new reputation as a "politician," and whether I believe it is true, as well as Ambrose and his future. I talk about the blah finish to Charlotte vs. Natayla, go over my thoughts on Charlotte's ring abilities, and lament the usage of Bret Hart. I cover The McMahons' segment, and how Chicago responded. And finally, I go over the "phenomenal" main event between AJ Styles and Roman Reigns. As always, i have alot to say about Roman and how he is booked and perceived. I talk about how well I think AJ has adjusted to WWE, and how I think he will do from here on out. I talk about how I hated the finish, but how I also understand the reasoning.

I talk tonight's RAW from there, including: Shane & Steph, and why I liked to see Owens and Cesaro with mic time so early, as well as their match and the IC title situation; Tyler Breeze and how terrible his 2016 has been; the Tag Team Titles and where they are headed, as well as something the Vaudevillians did that I really liked, and the future for Big Cass; Emma and Becky Lynch, and the crowded top tier of the Womens Division; The Ambrose and Steph segment, why it was disappointing, and Jericho's trolling on Twitter; The US Title Battle Royal, what happened to Zack Ryder, the underutilized Alberto Del Rio, Kalisto's disaster in the commentary chair, more Baron Corbin tomfoolery, Apollo Crews, Sheamus, and Rusev's current status, as well as Lana's misuse; "Little Naitch" and the Natayla/Charlotte/Ric Flair segment, and why Flair may have been so speechless backstage; and finally the big main event between Styles, Anderson, and Gallows vs. Reigns and the Usos; the instinctual wrong, pig headed booking of Roman Reigns and how it hurts him, how "phenomenal" AJ Styles has truly been, my disagreeing with the use of Anderson and Gallows so far, and my future predictions for all six men, especially as far as Styles, Reigns, and the World Title go.

Please check out the Creative Control T Shirt store at prowrestlingtees.com/CCWithJoeFeeney which will have three new designs within the next ten days! And remember, order a shirt before Friday, and receive a free gift!

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"The Southern Stomper" is back and he takes no prisoners! We touch on quite a few questions I didn't get to on his initial appearance. We cover a plethora of things including, the early days of TNA, working for PWU and with Vampiro, his experiences at Wrestling Society X, the "Altar Boy Luke" character, and his feelings on it, XPW and the reunion shows, wrestling Jerry Lynn and appearing on his retirement show, feuding with Matt Hardy, his experiences with PWS as Extreme Rising Champion, Bob Holly, working for Global Force Wrestling, and his views on Tommy Dreamer and his House Of Hard core promotion. Luke also runs Wildkat Sports and Entertainent in the New Orleans area, as well as the promotions school. Wildkat has a show on May 28th in Metairie, Louisiana that will feature Luke, Bob Holly, Bestia 666, Brian Kendrick, as well as Wildkat students, and the top talent in the area. Please check out Luke Hawx and Wildkat Sports & Entertainment on all forms of social media.

Please check out the Creative Control t shirt store at prowrestlingtees.com/ccwithjoefeeney

There will be two choices of the shows logos on a shirt soon, as well as the upcoming #WrestleCation shirt

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On episode 56, we talk to independent wrestling's top upcoming ring announcer, Stuart Campbell! Stuart can be seen announcing the matches and revving up the crowd every two weeks at The MFPW shows in Paulsboro, NJ. We talk about his early days as a "Ruthless Aggression" era WWE fan, reaching back into the past and enjoying old ECW TV on the WWE Network, how he entered the business via the WWWA in Pennsylvania, and some of his experiences there. We also talk about his experiences helping at Ring Of Honor shows, some of the most helpful advice he has received at seminars, and who he sees as the up and coming stars in The MFPW. We also talk about the infamous "Chopfest" clip on YouTube that many fans may be familiar with, and if you're not, go to YouTube and search for Monster Factory Chopfest! You won't be disappointed.

You can follow Stuart at @stutheannouncer on Twitter to keep up with what he is up to.

And check out ProWrestlingTees.com/CCWithJoeFeeney to see the new Creative Control Pro Wrestling Tee's store! New designs will be coming shortly.

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Josh Olsen is our guest on Episode 55. Mr. Olsen is the editor, and was the creative madman behind the pro wrestling anthology book, "Working Stiff." We discuss his wrestling fandom as a child up to today, and the breaks in between. We ALL need a little #Wrestlecation sometimes! We talk about some of his experiences at live events over the years, up until present day. He goes over how much Colt Cabana's Art Of Wrestling inspired his return to being a fan, and how hearing Colt namedrop him and Working Stiff on Art Of Wrestling was such a special moment. And we talk about what Josh and Gimmick Press' next project will be. All that and more on an enjoyable Episode 55!

Saturday (tomorrow) April 16th at the 2300 (ECW) Arena, is Collectorfest. It will be a convention for pro wrestling and comic book fans, and some of the guests include Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Bobby Heenan, Animal, The Blue Meanie, Cliff Compton, Abyss, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, and many more! And Creative Control will be there as well, selling copies of Working Stiff, the first ever Creative Control T Shirt, as well as some vintage til present day WWF/WWE/TNA action figures. And the special guest at our table will be legendary ECW manager and commentator JOEL GERTNER! Joel will be available for autographs, pictures, video messages, and more, including some surprises. So come on out to Collectorfest in South Philly, and say hi to the both of us...oh, and visit HBK, Angle or RVD if you have the time...

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On episode 54, Mikey Webb spends some time with us. We talk about how he got into the business, his training, his running buddies like Donovan Dijak and Warbeard Hanson, working with legends early in his career (2 Cold Scorpio, Buff Bagwell, Rikishi, The Godfather, and The Blue Meanie), his experiences in JAPW, Chaotic Wrestling, and the MFPW. He tells us about his experience in the Ring Of Honor Top Prospect tournament, and is honest about what he thought of his performance. We discuss wrestling in singles matches, tag team matches, and multi person matches, and whether he has a preference. We go over injuries and concussions, and what can be done to best avoid them. And finally we go over recent matches of his that created quite a buzz, both for The MFPW, and over the Super Sonic championship. Firstly, a three way dance with Nick Westgate and Anthony Greene, and secondly, his title defense against "LSG" Leon St. Giovanni. These matches were just as good, if not better than any televised wrestling you will see today. You can check them out on THEMFNetwork.com, and you can follow Mikey at @mikeyfly247 on Twitter.

This Saturday in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena, it is Collectorfest! This convention is for pro wrestling and comic enthusiasts, and will include such names as Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Animal, Ricky Steamboat, Stan Hansen, Bobby Heenan, and more...including MYSELF at the Creative Control table, with our guest JOEL GERTNER. Joel will have autographs, pics, and video messages for sale, as well as a few possible surprises. Creative Control will be selling its first T shirt, as well as copies of the pro wrestling anthology book, "Working Stiff," and WWE/TNA action figures, some autographed, and some rare. If you attend Collectorfest, please come say hello.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/absurd-w-joe-feeney--3475952/support.