Conrad Thompson, co-host of the new WWE Network podcast “Something Else To Wrestle With” featuring former longtime WWE executive Bruce Prichard, recently spoke with the folks at AL.com to discuss the story behind the podcast coming to WWE’s digital subscription service.
Thompson, who also co-hosted Ric Flair’s old “WOOOO! Nation” podcast, confirmed that the first of the 13-episode shooting schedule began this week. He also spoke about WWE initially reaching out to he and Prichard in late 2017 about working together.
“We’re going to try to do essentially what we do with the live show, just on video,” said Thompson. “Filmed in our home offices. First and only non-WWE produced show in that there’s not going to be anybody in the room with us. Cameras set up in our offices. No staffer. We’re going to pick the topics, and we’ve got creative control. Going to try to have some visual aids. At live shows, we do the old heads on sticks routine that Pardon the Interruption made famous. That was a hit for our live shows, so we’ll incorporate it. Hopeful they’ll splice in the stuff we’re talking about and let us talk about what you’re seeing on screen. That would make it the ultimate version of ‘Something to Wrestle.'”
Regarding the content restrictions on the WWE Network version of their podcast, which is known for being “down and dirty with the nitty-gritty details,” Thompson claimed that nothing is off-limits, including discussions about Chris Benoit’s in-ring work.
“No, nothing’s off limits,” said Thompson. “That being said, let me say this. We’ve had three things that we’ve said from the very beginning, we’re not talking about that. We’re not going to talk about Chris Benoit’s murder-suicide, the ring boy scandal or Owen Hart’s death. Can we talk about Chris Benoit’s matches? Yes. Am I going to say ‘Hulk Hogan’ and tell everybody how much I loved him as a kid? Absolutely. Are we going to address the rumor and innuendo about Macho Man? You’re damn right we are. Is Chyna off limits? Nope, I’m going to bring her up early and often. A lot of those things that people think we’re going to shy away from, we’re not going to. That’s part of the fabric of the podcast and what made it successful, and they know that.”
Thompson also claimed during the interview that not everyone in WWE is on board with their podcast coming to the WWE Network. He was also asked about whether or not he feels it could lead to a WWE television return for Prichard.
“I don’t know that everybody is on board with this idea. I’m sure there are people within the company who don’t like the idea that we’re talking about the company the way we are, that we’ve been able to make a living off the company independent of WWE, or that Bruce is involved,” Thompson said. “But this is sort of a different thing where Bruce doesn’t have to be there and we don’t have to participate in some of the politics. I think if Bruce was ever in a position to be offered a full-time on the road deal that meant he couldn’t do the podcast, I feel strong that he would pass. If it was they’d like him to come to TV and PPVs and consult, I’m sure he’d be up for that. But a full-time on the road thing doesn’t work for him with his family situation, and it would probably pay less than what the podcast does, so he’s not going to do anything that’s going to take the podcast away.”
Check out the complete Conrad Thompson interview at AL.com.
