Bully Ray recently commented on the state of Ring of Honor on Busted Open Radio. According to Bully Ray, the company needs to do something to become must-see TV. Along with Dave LaGreca, they were talking about the Best in the World PPV this weekend when Bully had the following to say:

“As great as a PPV as it was, people gotta get their eyes on it. Ring of Honor has to find a way to make their show must-see and from what I know about the company being there first-hand is they don’t exactly go out of their way to make any of their stuff must-see,” Bully said on the show.

“The most must-see time in Ring of Honor is when Cody and the Bucks were there,” Bully continued.

“They have to find a way to bottle that energy that was there when Cody and the Bucks were there and make it their own. Unless you do that, Ring of Honor will stay in the same place it has always stayed.”

“These guys are really freakin good at what they do but if you are that good and nobody sees it, what’s the point?” Bully later asked.

Bully continued to talk about Sinclair’s ownership of Ring of Honor.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think Sinclair cares about Ring of Honor the same way Ring of Honor cares about Ring of Honor or anybody else does. Ring of Honor is a much different wrestling company. It’s a company owned by Sinclair broadcasting and Sinclair broadcasting also owns a lot of other stuff so Ring of Honor just kind of gets in line and waits for their turn.”

Bully Ray thinks Eddie Kingston needs to “stay in his lane” following comments the AEW wrestler made about WWE recently. Kingston cut a promo following Dynamite this weekend and had some disparaging things to say regarding WWE. He said later, however, that he was just trying to support AEW.

Bully Ray responded to Kingston’s comments recently on Busted Open Radio.

“Eddie Kingston needs to s**t the f**k up and stay in his lane,” Bully said after spending a minute complimenting him. “And his lane is as an AEW guy speaking about AEW and flying the flag for AEW. Then I’m completely on board. Tell me how great AEW is, fly the flag for your company, show me you wear your heart on your sleeve.”

“Don’t take the easy way out and knock the WWE because if you go back and you listen to the fans, they really didn’t pop that hard when he took a jab at WWE.”

Bully Ray continued to say, however, that he understands it when former WWE guys Cody and Jericho take shots at WWE but not Eddie. “If Cody wants to destroy a throne, I get it. If Jericho wants to say F-U, I get it. But Eddie? Why?”

Eddie Kingston’s “Other Channel” Promo

Following Dynamite last Saturday, Kingston got on the microphone and complimented AEW while taking some shots at WWE.

“Because the competition sometimes doesn’t want to hear their fans,” Kingston said. “Well, I guess I’m burning another bridge, surprise. Ladies and gentlemen, AEW cares about their fans. We are not here just to get ourselves a paycheck.”

He was later interviewed by Wrestle Zone and clarified his comments, however.

“Relax, relax. I expect people from the other joint if they’re allowed to mention our names. They’ll probably do the same thing cause you know what I mean? They want their home team to win. It’s just like the NFL or Major League Baseball, man. You wanna go with your home team, AEW’s my team. That’s my squad.”

Response to Bully Ray’s Comments

Bully Ray’s comments have garnered some strong reactions online.

AEW will be presenting their Revolution PPV tonight from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. Several talents have been rumored for appearances on the show; with the ladder match spot and ‘hall of fame worthy’ talent still to be revealed by the company.

A few different performers in pro wrestling have continued to tease that they’re heading to All Elite Wrestling tonight. NXT and NFL star Pat McAfee and former WWE, ECW and TNA star Bully Ray are among these names.

Bully Ray recently posted an old Dudley Boys ECW promo where he references the phrase ‘revolution.’

“Tonight, from men to heroes” Bully said during the original promo. “From heroes to legends and from legends to gods. The gods become immortal and the revolution continues.”

Bully Ray and Pat McAfee

Pat McAfee also used Twitter to tease an appearance tonight. The one time NXT Superstar posted a video of him packing his wrestling gear, seemingly preparing for a match.

McAfee and AEW star Miro have been going back on forth on social media recently; so there’s potentially a chance that the former NFL kicker might appear in All Elite.

Do you think that Pat McAfee or Bully Ray might appear at AEW Revolution tonight? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the upcoming Exploding Barbed Wire DeathMatch in AEW. It was confirmed on this week’s AEW Dynamite that Kenny Omega will be defending his Championship against Jon Moxley in the FMW classic match type at AEW Revolution.

“The match can work if you do it the right way” Bully Ray began. “If they try to do too much? It’s not gonna work. There’s a way to do it and it revolves around how you toy with the psychology leading up to it. It revolves around how many times you actually fall into the exploding barbed wire. It also revolves around what that means in the match.”

Bully Ray on Exploding DeathMatch

“One of my biggest problems with Last Man Standing matches is that talent will prostitute the count” Bully Ray continued. “When a ref starts counting early? You know the guy is gonna get up by two; but a little later he’s gonna get up by four, then a little later he’s gonna get up by six, a little later by eight and then you know whatever the finish is. If I’m doing a Last Man Standing match? I never want the count to be to be prostituted”

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Bully Ray finished by discussing how he would approach the bout from a phycological standpoint. “I don’t want it to be used too much in this match. You build to the exploding barbed wire, you go into the barbed wire one to two times the get cut up, then you fall into the exploding stuff, and then you get a finish” Bully stated. “Don’t overdo it, because then it becomes overkill. You want to leave this match with just enough so these people would want to see it again.”

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the WWE Championship on the show. Ray was discussing the WrestleMania main event situation, with the odds on Edge deciding to face Roman Reigns at the show of shows this April.

With the Universal Championship match seemingly set, Bully Ray stated who he would like to see challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 37. “Based on story, and what I’ve seen lately? I would love to see Sheamus versus Drew. I really would” Bully Ray began on Busted Open.

Bully Ray on Sheamus

Bully Ray then said how he’s concerned that Sheamus hasn’t hit the point of ‘main eventing’ a WrestleMania. “I just don’t think Sheamus…I don’t think Sheamus’ star has risen since he’s come back to the point of WrestleMania main event.”

“And I wish I did not have to say that” Bully Ray continued. “Because Sheamus is/has been so damn good and I could make an argument for him being the MVP of the WWE for a long time now; at least during the COVID era, with his matches and his promos and everything they’ve handed him. I’m just not sure if that’s a WrestleMania marquee main event [Sheamus vs McIntyre].”

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Would you like to see Sheamus take on Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the tag team of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax. This week’s episode of RAW saw both women lose in their respective matches; with Nia Jax saying the now infamous ‘MY HOLE’ line that started trending Monday night.

“I think both of them need help with their in-ring work” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “Nia looks like she doesn’t like to get touched, when you swing…now when you go for a punch at Nia? Her head is down and her hands are up. I think she needs to work on some of that stuff. When I say she needs to work on it? I’m saying it in a way where I’m trying to help not hurt or bash somebody.”

Bully Ray on Nia Jax

Bully Ray then discussed the rumors that Vince McMahon has already sent talent back ‘down’ to the Performance Center over the past few months to polish their game. One of the bigger names rumored to be sent back to the PC was Keith Lee, so Bully Ray uses this as a precedent to get more main roster Superstars to get help with their skillset.

“The reason I think this is because we heard reports of Vince McMahon sending certain talent down to the PC for a little bit of extra help” Ray stated. “There’s nothing wrong with that, especially when you have a place like the PC around. So if it’s there. Hey girls, Nia? There’s a couple of holes in your game, no pun intended!”

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Ray finished by praising Nia Jax for her work with Lana in the Tables match on Monday night. “Go work on some of this stuff, because the regression is significant to me especially when I see them (Nia and Shayna) together. I like the job that Nia did last night with Lana. I thought that was a decently booked table match with the right outcome, the right payoff, they did it the right way.”

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the Royal Rumble show from this past Sunday. During the event, Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens had a hellacious Last Men Standing match; with the ending of the bout unfortunately coming under scrutiny for an unexpected issue.

Roman Reigns was handcuffed to one of the lighting rigs and Paul Heyman had to unlock the cuffs whilst the referee counted Roman out. Unfortunately the referee had to stop the count at 5; as Roman was still stuck with the handcuffs just not playing ball. Bully Ray discussed how much he enjoyed the Last Man Standing match, and how the ending shouldn’t detract from the bout itself.

“One of the most enjoyable Last Man Standing matches I’ve ever seen” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “Great, great car crash. And I’ve been in a few Last Man Standing matches that I’m very, very proud of; because of the psychology I was able to attach to the match, and how things made sense. It wasn’t just gratuitous violence for the sake of it.”

Bully Ray on The Last Man Standing Match

“The Rumble was very entertaining” Bully continued. “Kevin Owens…no matter when KO gets handed the ball? He finds a way to score with it. This is tailor made for him, he loves this stuff. Roman stepped up to the plate, whether you get Roman in a regular wrestling match or these Last Man Standing matches? He is shining through.”

Bully Ray then discussed the unfortunate botch at the end of the match. “Every once in a while, something goes wrong” Bully stated. “Something that you try to make sure won’t go wrong, but it just happens, it’s a broken play. And in that moment in time either something was wrong with the key or the lock. And I know people are harping on the second referee coming in and starting to count.”

“Actually, that’s what the referee HAD to do, he has to start counting. The problem is that he STOPPED counting. He got to five and realised, ‘Paul still doesn’t have the cuffs off.’ So, in that moment in time. What do you do? How do you cover it up? It is an absolute split second decision. So what the WWE did, they panned out. They got the referee out of the shot, and they focused on the handcuffs.”

Roman Reigns and Corey Graves ‘Covering’

“Roman was able to squat and get on his feet and Corey graves did a phenomenal job of covering it up” Bully continued. “Saying, ‘well, Roman is in a seated standing position.’ People took to social media so hard about that it’s almost like they were looking for the WWE to fail. And they found that moment in time to go ‘there, you see! That ruined it all! The booking, the creative, the psychology! It was all ruined, all ruined.’ How in the hell can you take that performance of those guys busting their asses and throwing their bodies around, this that and the other, and then harp on a mistake that is extremely difficult to cover up?”

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Bully Ray then finished by discussing how Paul Heyman would’ve felt in the situation, with Ray having known Paul for many years since their days in ECW. “Nobody’s anticipating the key not working. And those guys are trying to stay cool, calm and collected. You have no idea the panic that runs through your mind when that happens. Paul was most likely, from what I know of Paul Heyman, a mental mess when those cuffs wouldn’t come undone. And you have to stay in the moment, not freak out.”

Do you think that the handcuff botch distracted too much from the finish of the Last Man Standing match? Do you agree with Bully Ray that it didn’t? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the ongoing ‘Wednesday Night War’ between AEW and NXT. For many months AEW has been beating NXT in the rating; with this past week seeing a gulf in difference, particularly in the 18-49 demographic.

Bully Ray pointed out that whilst AEW is the better drawing show? Ray believes that NXT has the better in-ring action and it is a ‘crisper’ and more ‘polished’ style of pro wrestling.

“It’s hard for me to come on the show, and I don’t want to do this, first and foremost, I don’t look to come on the show and point out holes in the game or the negatives” Bully Ray began on Busted Open.

“Honestly, I just want to come on talk positive about pro wrestling, and tell everybody what a great job everybody did. When I watch NXT? I don’t see glaring issues, like I see maybe with AEW. But the work in the ring is solid, it’s tight [in NXT]. Nine times out of 10? It makes psychological sense. The physicality is there.”

Shifting his focus to AEW, Bully Ray sees some ‘glaring’ issues that might be holding the company back.

“A lot of times? You watch AEW and you know, guys and gals are missing stuff. It can get a little indie-rific at times, whereas the NXT product is a lot more polished and the work rate is extremely tight.”

However you feel about Bully Ray’s comments about AEW’s in-ring product, there’s no question that what they’re doing is working. AEW regularly draws higher viewership and greater fan interest than NXT.

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Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you believe that NXT’s in-ring product is superior to that of AEW? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair. Bully Ray would claim that Charlotte is “one of the greatest women’s performers ever” and that he finds it ridiculous that certain fans slam her online.

“You’re always gonna have people on social media, who think that they understand or know what’s going on in that ring” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “[Think they know] what makes a great talent. What does make great talent? Charlotte Flair is top of the food chain, all time when it comes to women’s wrestling. All time, all time.”

Bully Ray on Charlotte Flair

“She’s possibly in the top three females of all time” Bully Ray continued. “It’s not even up for debate. That’s a cold hard fact. And to sit there on social media and to talk crap about Charlotte? ‘Oh, she’s only in that spot because her father.’ I mean, how old is that one? Because OF COURSE if she didn’t have the last name Flair? She wouldn’t be as athletic as she is, she wouldn’t look as good as she does. She wouldn’t have the gear that she does…just stop it already!”

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Bully Ray finished by calling out the detrimental fans online by saying “you look completely foolish and ignorant.” Ray added “if you take the social media and start bashing one of the greatest wrestlers of all time? You look foolish and ignorant.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Charlotte Flair is one of the greatest performers ever? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. It was confirmed by WWE before this week’s episode of RAW that the Scottish Superstar had tested positive for COVID-19.

It was also revealed that McIntyre was asymptomatic, so he was not suffering from any of the usually expected symptoms of the disease. With McIntyre being in well health, he confirmed that he will still be facing Goldberg at the Royal Rumble PPV. Goldberg challenged Drew McIntyre on the Legends Night episode of Monday Night RAW.

Many fans have been worried about Goldberg potentially getting the win at the Rumble, taking the belt from McIntyre. Bully Ray would suggest that WWE use the fact that McIntyre had/has COVID and weave it into the storyline.

Bully Ray on Drew McIntyre/Goldberg Storyline

“With the way they presented Goldberg last night and the fact that drew does have COVID? Who’s to say that even though he’s asymptomatic it doesn’t take a little bit out of him?” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “You know? Maybe it affects his training, affects his ability to get in the ring. Maybe there’s a little bit of ring rust not being in there? I don’t mind using the fact that Drew has COVID as the base of a story, if Goldberg is gonna win [at the Royal Rumble].”

“Drew got it at the ‘wrong’ time and timing is everything” Bully Ray continued, elaborating on the storyline aspect. “Goldberg was able to step up to the plate at the right time and take advantage of the situation. Hell, maybe you have some of the WWE doctors telling Drew; ‘you should not be getting back in the ring right now, you’re just not ready to go, you’ve taken a hit over the past two weeks. Your lungs may not be able to take it.’ I like using it as an aspect of the World Championship match.”

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Bully Ray would finish by saying how the positive test could also work as an ‘out’ for WWE taking the title off of Drew McIntyre. “And it’s also something, not for Drew to fall back on, but people to fall back on for Drew. Because they’ll say, ‘oh well Drew had COVID, maybe he wasn’t strong enough. Then drew goes, ‘you know what? Enough with this COVID excuse. No, I lost, Goldberg was the better guy but at WrestleMania I’m going to get my championship back.'”

With WWE being completely averse to mentioning COVID-19 on television on air this seems unlikely.

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that WWE should use Drew McIntyre’s positive COVID test to further the Goldberg storyline? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the return of Goldberg.

There has been a lot of backlash from fans and critics online following the return of the WCW legend. Goldberg returned to Monday Night RAW during the Legend’s Night episode of the show this week, challenging Drew McIntyre to a match at the Royal Rumble for the WWE Championship.

Bully Ray would discuss how the use of ‘older’ talent is still beneficial to the likes of WWE and AEW, mainly due to the difference in experience.

Bully Ray on WWE Using Legends

“I don’t care about age” Bully Ray would begin on Busted Open. “I’ve never been one of these age guys. ‘Oh all the younger guys are just’…younger guys are not as smart as older guys because they don’t understand psychology, like older guys do.”

“That’s why Randy Orton and Edge’s psychology is 100 times better than anybody else in the company” Bully Ray continued. “So if you apply the right psychology to a match with Goldberg? You probably get 10 strong minutes, which is all you really need.”

• Update On Why Goldberg Is Facing Drew McIntyre At The Royal Rumble

Bully Ray would finish by praising Brock Lesnar for his work with Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 and even beforehand. “Did Brock Lesnar apply the right psychology to his first run with Goldberg? Yes. Did it work? It worked beautifully. How long were the matches? Their WrestleMania was what? Five/six minutes? It works. So, if you understand the players? If you understand the characters? If you understand their strengths? You play to it.

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Are you looking forward to seeing Drew McIntyre vs Goldberg at Royal Rumble 2021? Let us know in the comments below

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed WWE RAW and the ongoing tanking of the show’s weekly ratings.

The viewership for Monday’s Raw hit an all-time low, averaging at 1.527 million viewers over the 3 hour broadcast.

There are many factors as to why the viewership for the show has been trending downwards over the past year years. This week’s episode was up against a highly competitive and enthralling NFL game, but Bully Ray states that if WWE’s content was strong enough, people would still be tuning in to watch RAW.

“You can talk to me until you’re blue in the face about how people watch TV differently or it’s a different time, blah, blah, blah” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “If you build it? They will come.”

“If you build your roster and people are over? They’re going to tune in” Bully Ray would continue. “I don’t care what you have to do to get eyes on your product. If you have something that the people want to see? They’re gonna tune in, no matter what.”

“I just don’t see any depth today”

Bully finished by comparing the creative and roster today to that of 20 years ago. “When I compare the characters of those in ’98 to what I see today? I just don’t see any depth today. Yeah, there might be depth to one or two people, a small handful?”

He continued, “But man I liked a bunch of talent from ’98. And not because I know these people or I worked with these people or this was my generation. No, I’m looking at it from the fans point of view. I’m looking at guys that had a multitude of personality aspects. We don’t get that today.”

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Do you agree with Bully Ray? How do you think that WWE can start to claw back some of the viewership that have left over the past few years? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Keith Lee and the reports that he has been sent back to the WWE Performance Center; appaerntly for more ‘seasoning’ by Vince McMahon himself.

“As the owner of the company and as the boss?” Bully Ray would begin on Busted Open. “If he’s not happy with somebody’s performance? He’s well within his rights to try to get them some help and get them up to working specs.”

Bully Ray on Keith Lee

There were a number of performers supposedly sent back to the PC to work on their skills. These included Otis, Dabba-Kato, Omos and RETRIBUTION member Mace. “Keith Lee is the one that everybody’s been talking about” Bully Ray would continue. “Keith Lee is the one that has everybody scratching their head as to why. I guess there was no specifics given? As to why he wanted him to get some extra help? Some extra work? Some extra polish?”

Bully Ray would finish by comparing Lee’s current situation to that of Drew McIntyre. Early on in his WWE career Drew McIntyre was dubbed ‘The Chosen One;’ but it wasn’t until he left WWE that he was able to become a main event player and then return. Keith Lee defeated Randy Orton in only his second ever main roster match, leading Bully Ray to make the comparison. “I thought about this, remember when Drew McIntyre wasn’t getting the job done in Vince’s eyes? What did Vince do with Drew McIntyre? He let him go and said ‘come back when you get more polished and you think you’re ready.’ That’s exactly what Drew did.”

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“Vince is not enamoured with Keith Lee, with his work or his promo, whatever. Vince has every option contractually, or right contractually, to sit out Keith Lee and not do anything with Keith Lee.”

Do you think that Vince McMahon is ‘investing’ in Keith Lee by getting him to work more on aspects of his WWE work? Do you think that Bully Ray is right in his Drew McIntyre comparison? Let us know in the comments

Former WCW President Eric Bischoff believes All Elite Wrestling should hire Bully Ray. Bischoff shared his thoughts during a recent episode of his podcast 83 Weeks.

Bischoff argued how Bully Ray is not only an experienced veteran but is a talented wrestler who understands the “art of creating emotion.”

“I don’t know why Bully’s not there in AEW because he’s valuable. There’s some really talented people there, and obviously, Chris Jericho is maybe one of the most creative people right now,” Bischoff said. “But wouldn’t you like to have 2, or 3, or 4 people that have Chris Jericho’s kind of experience and feel, but maybe come at it from a couple different perspectives so you have options? I would think somebody like AEW would really benefit from Bully’s experience.”

Alongside the aforementioned Chris Jericho, AEW has a wealth of additional veteran talent to pull from. Dustin Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson are all part of the promotion, to name just a few. Eric Bischoff, himself, has also featured on multiple episode of AEW Dynamite.

Former WCW Champion Sting recently made his on-screen debut for AEW. He has since expressed an interest in current AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin. It is speculated that Sting will compete in the ring in AEW, with some veterans and fans already speculating about potential matches he may have down the line.

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the passing of Pat Patterson. The first ever Intercontinental Champion was a massively important member of WWE’s backstage personnel before he passed, and Bully Ray would celebrate the achievements one of Vince McMahon’s right hand men.

Patterson passed away last week at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of greatness not just in-ring, but also having created the likes of the Royal Rumble match.

“That’s what Pat Patterson was…I referred to him as a genius, on my social media, when it came to finishes” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “He understood psychology and you know sometimes the older you get in the wrestling business? Maybe you can get a little out of touch.”

“What’s the one complaint that we hear about Vince McMahon sometimes? He’s out of touch” Bully Ray would continue. “Pat Patterson was never out of touch. Pat was able to apply everything that he knew to any talents, especially the younger ones.”

Fans and critics alike have been vocal about Vince McMahon being ‘out of touch.’ One of the more egregious acts of this was when Roman Reigns proclaimed “suffering succotash!” This took place during his feud with Seth Rollins in 2015.

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Bully would also discuss how Patterson was able to help ‘mold’ some of the up and coming talents in WWE. “It’s the younger up and coming talent that became big stars that Pat was helping to mold. So I have nothing but great things to say about Pat.”

Patterson was of course also a minor but ever present part of the Attitude Era. As one of Mr McMahon’s ‘stooges,’ Patterson and Gerald Brisco would help (hilariously) to foil some of WWE’s biggest babyfaces.

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed WWE’s use of the Hurt Business. Whilst the group does appear to be getting some traction on television, Bully Ray believes that it is another case of WWE cutting off a ‘hot angle’ before it can really get going.

“As fans? The minute we get a little bit of traction, and we’re getting into something? They [WWE] stop it, they cut it off” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “That’s why, even with the Hurt Business, I haven’t been fully on board.”

Bully Ray on The Hurt Business

“I like the Hurt Business” Bully Ray clarified. “I think there’s a tonne of potential to further the Hurt Business. But the minute anyone gets a little bit of traction? Something goes wrong.”

In the past WWE have appeared to be prone to cutting the legs off more organic occasions of talent getting over. One of the biggest examples is Matt Cardona/Zack Ryder, who produced his own YouTube show that become extremely successful back in the early 2010s. Although WWE would start to get behind Ryder? They completely killed his push as they made some questionable booking decisions involving John Cena and his feud with Kane.

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Ray would finish by discussing the Hurt Business again in particular. “The minute the Hurt Business starts the show looking like these big, bad, intimidating mother truckers? Then they go losing matches. The minute the four of them start to gel? Here goes Cedric [Alexander] splitting on them. I don’t know, it’s almost like…it’s almost like I’m scared to get into a relationship with any WWE characters.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think there’s too many characters that WWE pulls back on when they’re just getting hot on television? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the RAW interactions between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. Ray would compare the two British Superstars to Randy Orton and Edge; saying how their real life history gives the potential upcoming storyline feud ‘real life’ legitimacy.

Bully Ray on Orton vs Edge

“Randy [Orton] and Edge have characters and personalities that are carved out” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “That’s why you will stay invested in their story. They had a history, that’s why you will stay invested in that story. They talked about real life relationships, but their real life relationship? That’s why you will stay invested in that story.”

Edge and Randy Orton had a run of bouts earlier in the year. These would include the Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania and ‘The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever’ at Backlash.

“Sheamus and Drew [McIntyre] are very similar” Bully Ray would continue. “They’re friends in real life. They have story, characters and personalities that are carved out and definitive. That’s why you’ll be invested.”

Drew McIntyre and Sheamus go back an extremely long way. The two men were featured members of the Irish Whip Wrestling promotion, back in

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Bully Ray would then use a movie analogy to finish and elaborate on the point. “This is why being into the character or the personality first? Is so important. When you watch a movie, what’s the most important thing a movie can do within the first half hour or so? Build the characters.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Sheamus vs Drew McIntyre could be a strong feud given their British/Irish links? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently commented on the retirement of the Undertaker. ‘Taker of course had his ‘Final Farewell’ at Survivor Series this past weekend, with several legends and even a hologram Paul Bearer paying tribute to the WWE icon.

There has been talk of Undertaker potentially returning for one more bout, especially when there are crowds allowed in arenas once again. Bully Ray however believes that this is really it for the Deadman.

Bully Ray on The Undertaker

“After what Steve [Austin] said to him on the Broken Skull Sessions about ‘you’ve had your last match? I think that this could be it” Bully Ray would begin on the show. “I think ‘Taker now goes into the ‘in case of extreme emergency break glass’ category.”

Bully Ray would elaborate on this point, saying how Undertaker is a last ditch attraction now if all else fails. “I think Taker has now become an adrenaline shot to WWE. If someone’s dying and you can’t bring them back with the heart paddles? You stick a needle in their heart that’s full of adrenaline. I think that ‘Taker goes into that category now.

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“Only if there’s some kind of disaster and Vince needs something? Do you call the Deadman” Bully continued. “But for the most part? I think, yep, that’s it. And you know what? It should be. What else is he going to do? What else is there left for him to do?”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Undertaker is finally finished as an in-ring competitor? Let us know in the comments

Bully Ray has shared his thoughts on the Champion vs. Champion matchup between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns that took place at Survivor Series.

Speaking on his SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray stressed how the bout not only met but exceeded his expectations. He believed the two clashed in Survivor Series “match of the night” and successfully delivered a “big fight feel.”

“We had a big fight feel last night. We had both of the WWE Champions in there,” Bully Ray said. “We had two big men in there, we had two men that look like what a pro wrestler should look like, two men who laid their stuff in. It looked like a fight. It felt like a spirited contest; It felt like something!”

He explained how their matchup wasn’t just two Superstars going “through the motions.” Instead, it was apparent both McIntyre and Reigns “had a will, and a desire, and a passion to win.”

Bully Ray On What The Bout Delivered

This mentality translated to Bully Ray becoming invested in the match. He then highlighted the psychology implemented throughout. Bully Ray pointed to the ending of the bout and shared how he enjoyed the finish. 

“I liked what they did at the end when Roman had that choke on after the nut shot, and the interference from Roman’s cousin. When he had that front choke on and was holding on for dear life and Drew got the one leg, I was like, ‘Wow, is he actually going to make it out of this?'”

That uncertainty is what Bully Ray believes takes a fan on a “great ride” with pro wrestling. He noted that what Reigns and McIntyre delivered at Survivor Series was “drama,” something he claimed is majorly lacking in modern pro wrestling.

Drew McIntyre ultimately lost to Roman Reigns at Survivor Series following interference from Reigns’ cousin, Jey Uso.

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed NXT Superstar Rhea Ripley. It has been heavily rumored over the past week that Ripley will be heading to the ‘main roster’ shortly, and Bully Ray would give his reasoning as to why she could end up being a major player in WWE.

Bully Ray on Rhea Ripley

“When when I watch her? The thing that comes to mind the most is command of her own athletic ability” Bully Ray would begin on the show. “This is what I think separates talent, the good, the great and the exceptional. Rhea is tall, she’s about 5’10. She’s lanky, she’s not like ultra thin. She’s got a little bit of thickness to her, a good sickness to her. And she has control of all of it.”

Bully Ray used a baseball analogy to elucidate his point. “I always compare control in the ring to how a pitcher on a pitcher’s mound has control of his fastball. If you can throw a fastball 90 miles an hour? That’s great. But if you can’t throw it for a strike? It’s pretty much worthless. That’s command of your own athletic ability, being able to put the ball where you want it.”

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“When I see a woman like Rhea? She really is a standout to me” Bully continued. “She has such great control of her own athletic ability, no matter what she’s taking or no matter what she’s giving. I don’t see any wasted movement in her. Whether she’s selling or moving around? She doesn’t just flop and flail, I can tell she’s selling realistically.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Rhea Ripley could end up a major part of the WWE roster? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Zelina Vega’s release from WWE.

Thea Trinidad/Vega’s release came as a shock last weekend, and may questions have been raised regarding WWE and their ongoing ‘independent contractor’ status for their on-air talent. Bully Ray would give his perspective on the situation, saying that there may be more than meets the eye.

Bully would also address Aleister Black’s situation now in WWE. When talents leave the company and their partners are still on contract? It’s not always plain sailing, with Ray suggesting that Lana is a major example of this.

Lana has been put through the announcer’s table on RAW over the past few weeks, and he indicates (as many fans have) that this is clearly due to her husband leaving the company and heading to AEW. This whilst Miro/Rusev has made disparaging comments about WWE pubicaly and on AEW Dynamite.

Bully Ray on Aleister Black

“Obviously, Rusev comes on this show, says something that WWE doesn’t like, and now his wife is paying for it” Bully Ray began on Busted Open. “And she has been paying for it. Now whether you like it, or you don’t like it? Blah blah blah. Trust me, that’s what’s going on.”

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“It’s gonna be interesting to see what goes on with Aleister Black” Bully Ray would continue. “Because, of course, they let Thea (Zelina Vega) go. He might be just fine? But now let’s see if they toy with him. This is how they [WWE] get you.”

Do you think that WWE will mess with Black on television? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Zelina Vega’s release from WWE.

Thea Trinidad/Vega’s release came as a shock last weekend, and may questions have been raised regarding WWE and their ongoing ‘independent contractor’ status for their on-air talent. Bully Ray would give his perspective on the situation, saying that there may be more than meets the eye.

“To see the situation surface value? I obviously understand why so many people would be pissed off” Bully Ray began on the show. “But when you’re looking at the surface? When you’re looking at the tip of the iceberg? All you’re seeing is the tip. The majority of the iceberg lies beneath and that’s where the truth lies, all the way beneath.”

Bully Ray on Zelina Vega

Bully Ray would then discuss how the situation is more based on business rather than personal issues. “I’ve said this before when it comes to many instances with talent in the WWE. This is not a ‘hey we don’t like you Thea so we’re not letting you do your Twitch or your YouTube’ or whatever extracurricular things she was doing.”

“It has nothing to do with personal stuff” Bully Ray continued. “This is all business. What people need to realise is this: when you sign a WWE contract as an independent contractor? They basically own every single thing you do. Period. End of story.”

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Ray would then talk specifics about WWE contracts, saying “there are paragraphs in a WWE contract that specifically talk about what Thea and other talents are doing with Twitch and third party [sites]. Does it name Twitch by name? I don’t know. An updated version of a WWE contract probably does say Twitch, I don’t know, but I’m sure it specifically outlines Twitch, or YouTube or Cameo or any of these other avenues in which WWE wrestlers can use their persona, name, or likeness to earn extra money that WWE is not in control of.”

Where do you think Zelina Vega/Thea Trinidad will end up? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Pat McAfee and his ongoing NXT run. McAfee has created his own stable of talent over the past few weeks, including the NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch as well as former WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne.

Pat McAfee was extremely impressive in his debut NXT bout. However it is his work on the microphone that has shone through over the past few weeks.

Bully Ray would massively praise Pat McAfee on Busted Open; however he would state that McAfee isn’t doing anything extraordinary to get ‘heat.’ “It’s not really about what he is saying? It’s about how he says it” Bully Ray began on Busted Open.

Bully Ray on Pat McAfee

“I’ve been complimented over the years about some of the promo work that I’ve done. People ask me questions like ‘how do you generate this kind of heat!?’ Or whatever. I will always tell people, I have not reinvented the wheel” Bully stated.

Bully Ray would then attribute what McAfee has been producing on NXT to his own style of heel promo. “What I do? It’s Heel 101, it’s just how I say these things. All in the delivery, it’s all in the tone, it’s all in the inflection. It’s all about the eye contact, those things that take the very basic and very generic words like ‘we rule and you suck’ and make them mean something.”

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“Where it’s somebody like Pat McAfee saying them? Their unique personality? It gives a life to those very generic words. That’s when you know you have something. And that’s what Pat McAfee is like. When you heard him Wednesday night did he say anything that resonated with you, like, ‘Oh my god, that was the greatest promo I can’t believe he said that?’ No.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Pat McAfee is one of the best talkers in the company if not pro wrestling as a whole right now? Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Sirius XM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed Leon Ruff’s NXT North American Championship win.

Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano in shocking fashion on the most recent episode of NXT. Bully Ray would state that he ‘loved’ the angle, comparing it to when the 1-2-3 Kid (Sean Waltman) defeated Razor Ramon on WWF television.

Bully Ray on Leon Ruff

“Obviously in the middle of the match I’m saying to myself ‘please do the 1-2-3 Kid thing here'” Bully Ray began on the show. “What they did there? It was great, really entertaining, and with Gargano bitching and moaning [even] later on to Regal? Leon Ruff played his part perfectly.

When Leon Ruff was on the top of the stage and he put the Championship around his waist and the Championship fell down like his pants were too big? Mega Pop, out loud! it was amazing.”

Bully Ray would then discuss the average size of wrestler in the industry today. Of course Leon Ruff is on the diminutive side but even Johnny Gargano is nowhere near the size of a performer from the mid-80s.

“You know what stuck out to me? The size of a lot of wrestlers, it’s not a big man’s business anymore now. That was evident to me last night when Gargano and Regal were face to face in the back.”

“When it was just the two of them on the screen? Oh my god” Bully Ray continued. “Regal was an average size guy in my world of pro wrestling! Back in my day? Regal was average size, and he was towering over Gargano last night. The business has morphed into maybe a smaller man’s game, with a few big men.”

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Busted Open co-host Dave LaGreca would chime in by saying how the size of Leon Ruff would’ve made the angle even more memorable ‘back in the day,’ as he was so much smaller than the ‘average’ wrestler. “If that would have happened say 25 years ago it would have been ‘oh my god!’ Just because the pure size of Leon Ruff. [But] we’ve seen champions the size of a Leon Ruff over the last five or six years.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that Pro Wrestling is now a ‘smaller man’s game?’ Let us know in the comments

WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of Sirius XM’s Busted Open Radio Bully Ray recently discussed the official AEW ‘debut’ of Jade Cargill.

Cargill appeared on Dynamite this week during an in-ring promo by former TNT Champion Cody Rhodes. The reasoning for Cargill leaving the ringside area and entering the ring? It was so that she could belittle Rhodes and forewarn of Shaq coming to take on the ‘Prince of Pro Wrestling.’

Bully Ray would question how Jade Cargill made her in-ring debut on AEW programming. Ray would mention how he saw Cargill over the past few weeks ringside; as she played one of the front row ‘performers’ that give the show extra atmosphere during this pandemic ‘era.’

Bully Ray on Jade Cargill Debut

“Am I to believe that anybody who’s hanging out in the front row can just get in the ring and get a microphone? While Cody Rhodes is in the middle of the ring?” Bully Ray began on the show. “When I saw her I’m like, ‘what, what is this!?’ The only reason I knew who that woman was? A couple of weeks ago I made a phone call to a friend of mine in AEW; I said, ‘who is the tall blonde black girl in the front row?’ They told me who it was and I said ‘she has a presence, she has a look.'”

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“I’m glad they took advantage of her presence and her look” Bully Ray would continue, before again questioning how she debuted. “What the hell was she doing in the ring with Cody!? There’s much better way to plan out that segment, especially if Cody would have been saying whatever he had to say in his promo; and that woman would have been yelling and screaming at the top of her lungs in the front row, which is where I’m used to seeing her.”

Do you agree with Bully Ray? Do you think that AEW could’ve found a better way to debut Jade Cargill? Check out the segment in the video below and let us know