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Retribution is RUINED on WWE Raw. We look at the reactions to that angle from POST Wrestling and Fightful. 

Are three Hell in a Cell matches too many? And does the gimmick match even work anymore? 

Is Kenny Omega a heel after that performance on AEW Dynamite? 

What's going on with the Young Bucks? 

And, finally, is Dave Meltzer showing a bias toward AEW? 

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 gotten so convoluted in the first place.

Ronda Rousey’s YouTube vlog caused a stir among wrestling fans, and gave us an opportunity to listen to a rare JOUST between two wrestling media personalities from the same website!

Lastly, Les takes a look at the fascinating coverage of the Bruce Prichard news, who was first reported as being the right hand man to Vince McMahon in WWE creative before Dave Meltzer did a 180 degree turn in his reporting on the nature of Prichard’s role there.

Follow:@prowrestling@TalkingSheetPod@HughLittleSheet

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 dipped for the show. Are they right? And how much to ratings matter when WWE Stock is closing in on $100 per share?

Is WWE out of the John Cena business and back in the Hulk Hogan business? Wade Keller looks for clues in the WWE’s new Then, Now, Forever video on his recent podcast with Bruce Mitchell at PWTorch.

THEN, the guys return for the second episode of their new spinoff podcast, Finding Pro Wrestling, talk about the pro wrestling they watched from the last week that made them excited to be fans of this crazy sport.

This week:

Will Ospreay vs WALTER from Defiant’s Stacked ’18 card

Will Ospreay vs Matt Riddle from OTT’s ScrapperMania 4

Plus TONS more, including the return of HUGH’s VIEWS!

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

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 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

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 Sheet!

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

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 Illustrated report that Rey Mysterio was penciled in for a match with John Cena at WrestleMania despite all other indications being that he’s facing the Undertaker. And, finally, reports this week hinting at the idea WWE could sign its next television deal with the Fox Network after executives attended the Smackdown show from Los Angeles on Tuesday.

And, finally, Bix runs the gauntlet of Hugh’s Qs, including favorite wrestling mustaches, mullets, toys and more!

All this plus more on Talking Sheet.

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

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 Wrestling Observer Radio.

The final hype for WWE’s Elimination Chamber is behind us, and the show is set for Sunday with a lot of intrigue as to the outcomes from the matches. What will Ronda Rousey do, and will it involve Stephanie McMahon? How will Roman Reigns win the Chamber Match without hurting Braun Strowman’s push, or cooling off Seth Rollins? What will happen when Asuka takes on Nia Jax?

The Michael Elgin story continues to make headlines, this time after he was booked on an AAW Pro show last weekend, prompting promoter Danny Daniels to apologize and vow not to book him again. Dave Meltzer reports that there are other promotions who won’t use Elgin for fear of backlash from fans as well… so why do some still consider this a non-story, or a small-time story that only matters to a “40 fans” on Twitter?

Les breaks down some of the responses to part one of the recent Sheet Sandwich wrestling media survey, as well as what you can look for in upcoming installments.

Finally, Les and Hugh talk the POWER OF POSITIVITY, with a look at the week in things they loved about wrestling, or wrestling coverage.

All this plus more on Talking Sheet.

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

Les and Hugh are back to scratch the surface of a huge week in wrestling coverage, including the bizarre case of wrestling writer Abbey Arthur 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 reviewers.

Ronda Rousey is in WWE in order to increase Stephanie McMahon’s profile according to Dave Meltzer.

Bruce Mitchell writes on the racial undertones of the New Day’s pancake act.

Alan Counihan leaves F4Wonline to join the VIP podcast team at PWTorch.

All this plus more on Talking Sheet.

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

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 full time WWE wrestlers.

PWInsider’s Dave Scherer took an inappropriate and insulting shot at Nikki Bella for “dating well” getting her position in WWE, and went on to call her “honey” in one of the more disgusting examples of wrestling “analysis” this year.

We examine the coverage of WWE’s signing of Jonathan Coachman and Jeremy Borash, and reactions to how they’ll be utilized in the company, and what it means.

A coverage JOUST of John Cena’s Raw segment looks at how silly it is in storyline for John Cena to be worried about his spot at WrestleMania.

We look at the match ratings for the Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade Cien Almas match from NXT Takeover, which was just the 6th WWE match of all time to be rated 5-stars by Dave Meltzer.

Seth Rollins blocked Bryan Alvarez on twitter, presumably over the Wrestling Observer reporting that he was working on an injured back. Bryan Alvarez responded.

Ryan Satin took the week off, which raised eyebrows and attracted harsh criticism from his detractors this week.

Changes are brewing in wrestling coverage, and Fightful.com is adding staff.

Finally, a special commentary on ethics, integrity and honesty in pro wrestling journalism, as well as the waste of time it is keeping score on scoops.

Recent news breaker and potential rising star Brad Shepard made a major faux pas this week when he advertised his intentions to engage in checkbook journalism, a shady and arguably unethical reporting tactic that seems to run contrary to earlier tweets he made this week on the importance of integrity in wrestling journalism. Les Moore responds.

All this and more on this week’s Talking Sheet!

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod

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 stories.

Sean Ross Sapp wins the week for his adept handling of the story’s nuances, and covering all the bases, find out who missed the mark by the most.

Vince McMahon announced the XFL on Thursday, January 25th, the exact day first reported publicly by Brad Shepard. We look at how the story unfolded over the past month and a half, as well as encourage more detailed scrutiny of the new enterprise, similar to Brandon Howard’s stellar article on Fightful this week.

David Bixenspan’s article for Deadspin this week examining WWE’s track record of cheating its fans is looked at, as well.

Lastly, The Raw 25th Anniversary show gets two coverage jousts looking at both the Undertaker segment, as well as the Chris Jericho appearance on the show.

Joust clips from:

Wrestling Observer Radio

PW Torch

Fightful.com

POSTWrestling.com

All this PLUS, video is now available for subscription at f4wonline.com, and Hugh continues his foray back into the world of professional wrestling, including discovering his favorite podcast from PWPonderings.com.

Les is @prowrestling

Hugh is @HughLittleSheet

the show is @TalkingSheetPod