Browsing: Creative

Shinsuke Nakamuraâ€s entrance theme The Rising Sun helped define his WWE presence the moment he debuted—and now, the violinist responsible for that unforgettable sound is revealing exactly how it all came together.

Earl Maneein of Seven)Suns recently appeared on Ropes N Riffs and shared how he got involved in the session with WWE music producers CFO$. Surprisingly, he admitted that when he was first contacted to record the track, he didnâ€t even realize what it was for.

“It was just another gig. I donâ€t even remember who called me really. But it was just kind of like what I was saying alluding to earlier where like you get a text, right, and you go, ‘Oh, show up here at this time.â€â€

Once inside the studio, Maneein saw that CFO$ already had a full MIDI demo arranged. They had the trackâ€s structure in place but wanted a violinist to bring something unique to the sound.

“The CFO$ guys were like super cool. They wrote all of the things. It was all laid out for me. It wasnâ€t on sheet music, but it was on their MIDI controllers, and they were like, ‘We got this thing. We kind of hear violin here. What can you do for this kind of stuff?â€â€

He approached the session using both electric and acoustic violins. The electric violin was processed with amp simulators to create a heavy, modern tone, while the acoustic violin handled the melody lines.

“The main theme was not done on an electric violin… the acoustic part—yeah, that stuff is also this violin.â€

While CFO$ had the main riff and structure ready to go, Maneein was given plenty of room to experiment. He improvised multiple solos and unique sections on the spot—something that wasnâ€t entirely spontaneous, but rather instinctual after years of performing.

“If you listen to the full track, thereâ€s definitely me taking a bunch of solos. Itâ€s improvisatory. Yes, I just made it up on the spot. But I also didnâ€t—if that makes sense. These are things Iâ€ve done a million times in slightly different ways.â€

Maneein described those solos as natural extensions of his musical vocabulary. While they may have sounded spontaneous, they were grounded in decades of muscle memory and phrasing that he had used countless times in other projects. Even though he wasnâ€t a wrestling fan, he understood exactly what kind of emotion and energy the track needed to deliver.

“Iâ€m not a wrestling fan, really, but I understand deeply that this is hype music, this is what gets the crowd stoked that this guy is coming out, and how are we going to build this excitement?â€

The end result was a theme that didnâ€t just hype up a crowd—it elevated Nakamuraâ€s entire presence on WWE television. And it all started with a gig that Maneein nearly forgot about.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

Do you think WWE should bring back more CFO$-style themes? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

December 8, 2025 12:40 pm

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TNA Wrestling may have secured a national TV deal with AMC, but talent inside the company isnâ€t celebrating just yet. Apparently the locker room is growing increasingly frustrated with the promotionâ€s creative direction—and theyâ€re not hiding it.

During his December 6 Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp revealed that when he asked talent about the new AMC deal, concerns about booking were raised immediately—without any prompting.

“Creative is a primary thing of which the talent want fixed. They donâ€t feel as much confidence in their creative. And thatâ€s not me trying to pick on TNA—itâ€s just the very, very common reaction I got when I asked about the TV deal. I wasnâ€t even fishing for anything like that. It was presented without instigation, so to speak.â€

It was made clear that multiple wrestlers brought this up on their own, making creative dissatisfaction one of the most consistent themes in his conversations with talent.

This latest update comes on top of a tense contract situation. Killer Kellyâ€s deal is expiring this month, with ongoing talks about an extension. Her fiancé Myron Reed is working in TNA without a contract at all. The Rascalz—Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel—also have deals ending in December, while Dezmond Xavier remains unsigned.

Jake Somethingâ€s deal wraps at the end of the year. Meanwhile, AJ Francis, Mike Santana, Steve Maclin, and Mustafa Ali are either in talks or waiting to see how the AMC deal changes their value. WWE is already making moves, and if TNA doesnâ€t act fast, they may lose key names just as they hit national TV.

TNA iMPACT will officially begin airing on AMC and AMC+ starting January 15, 2026 at 9pm. That debut, paired with the AMC partnership, marks TNAâ€s biggest broadcast opportunity in more than a decade. Securing a TV slot is one thing—keeping talent invested in the direction of the product is another. If creative doesnâ€t improve, TNA risks turning its relaunch into a rebuild.

Do you think TNA will address the creative concerns before itâ€s too late? Or will WWE capitalize on the unrest? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

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While WWE business has continued to run as smoothly in 2025 as it did in 2023 and 2024, there have been signs that fans haven’t been as into the promotion’s creative direction as they were the previous few years. While John Cena’s heel turn has been seen as the moment that crystalized certain fan unrest, this past weekend’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames can also be seen as a candidate, with many feeling the event was lackluster, or even boring, compared to past events.

All that said, it’s difficult for some pundits, like WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, to fully get on board with the idea that WWE’s creative direction is lacking right now. At the start of Monday’s “Busted Open Radio,” Bully explained his reluctance to co-host Dave LaGreca by pointing to the big business WWE pulled in running Survivor Series at San Diego’s PetCo Park.

“Business is strong Dave, business is very strong within the WWE,” Bully said. “Numbers wise, asses in seats wise, dollars and cents wise. I can’t say that things are super strong in the creative department right now. There are some things that have me a little concerned. But they have enough equity in the bank to carry them through…You can’t…it’s very difficult to sit here and say, and this is about anything. Sports, music, pro wrestling.Â

“It’s very difficult to say ‘That’s sports team is no good,’ even though there’s a packed stadium. ‘That rock and roll band is not very good,’ even though it’s a sold out arena. ‘That pro wrestling company is lacking in…their creativity right now,’ even though there’s 46,000 people in the arena. I definitely think that the WWE right now is putting asses in seats because the WWE is in town, and were the hottest ticket out there right now.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

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A former WWE creative team member isn’t happy with Triple H’s recent recycled booking.

Former WWE head writer Vince Russo has leveled significant criticism against Triple H’s leadership of the company’s creative direction, questioning the Chief Content Officer’s ability to produce compelling television programming. During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Russo expressed serious concerns about the quality and originality of WWE’s current product.

Vince Russo’s Problem with WWE CCO Triple H’s Booking Decision

Russo acknowledged Triple H’s impressive wrestling credentials and professional accomplishments, while simultaneously challenging his qualifications as a television writer. The wrestling veteran emphasized that despite Triple H’s status as a legendary performer and Hall of Famer, his lack of professional writing experience has directly contributed to the current state of WWE programming.

“Triple H, listen man, 20-time World Champion, great wrestler,” Russo stated during the interview, “I worked with the guy, never had an issue with him, ever. You’re not a writer, man. You’re not a writer. And unless you know how to write a television show, it’s gonna become very, very, very repetitive.” (H/T: Sportskeeda)

Triple H is kicking off Raw and he said something that we can all agree on…

John Cena is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME! ðŸ pic.twitter.com/67LoQXwcOE

— WWE (@WWE) November 11, 2025

Triple H assumed control of WWE’s creative operations following Vince McMahon’s departure from his role as Chairman and CEO in September 2022. Since taking the helm, the 14-time World Champion has been elevated to Chief Content Officer and has overseen a period of significant financial success for the company, with record-breaking figures. However, this commercial success has not silenced internal criticism regarding the creative quality of the programming itself.

MORE: Itâ€s Another Disappointing Thanksgiving In The Mysterio Household Thanks To Dominik!

Russo’s commentary reflects a broader concern within the wrestling community about the direction of WWE’s storytelling and character development. The former writer has previously maintained that the current product lacks compelling narratives and meaningful character arcs that drive audience engagement beyond core wrestling enthusiasts.

Following the major trailer release, Triple H recently announced that ‘Back in the Saddle’ by Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD will serve as the official theme for WrestleMania 42, highlighting the premium production values the executive continues to prioritize for flagship events.

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AEW/Lee South

The seventh annual AEW Full Gear pay-per-view is almost upon us as fans from around the world are currently making their way to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It is shaping up to be another loaded show, and it could even have a few surprises according to a new report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select.

According to Sapp, AEW is reportedly getting a number of top stars back in the next few weeks after lengthy spells on the shelf with injury, as well as hiatuses. One man who hasn’t been seen in quite some time is former AEW World Champion MJF, who last competed at the All Out pay-per-view in September, losing to Mark Briscoe in a “Tables and Tacks” match. He has been busy filming the upcoming movie “Violent Night 2,” but MJF recently wrapped up his filming duties and is now scheduled to appear at the WrestleCade convention next weekend. Sapp noted that MJF doesn’t typically do a lot of appearances while he’s out of action, meaning that he is likely set to return to AEW soon, and potentially on the Full Gear broadcast.

Another man who has been away from the ring is also a former AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland. He was last seen being beaten down by The Don Callis Family at Forbidden Door in August, which was a way to write him off TV as he needed surgery to repair a torn ACL. Sapp claims that Strickland is supposed to be back in AEW by the end of the year barring any setbacks, and would have returned already had he gone under the knife immediately after All In Texas in July like he was originally supposed to.

In terms of what fans could expect at Full Gear tonight, Sapp believes that many people in the company see both Ricochet and Bobby Lashley to be the front runners when it comes to determining the first ever AEW National Champion. It was heavily implied to Fightful that Hangman Page will be walking out of New Jersey with the AEW Men’s World Championship, but that he isn’t quite finished with Samoa Joe as that feud is set to continue following tonight’s show.

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AEWâ€s about to get a serious injection of star power, with MJF and Swerve Strickland both expected to return to television next month.

According to Self Made Produring a recent Self Made session, the company has already locked in creative plans for both top-tier talents. While AEW has yet to officially confirm the news, Self Made Pro was clear about whatâ€s coming:

“Weâ€re going to get some big returns really soon. Weâ€re going to get two major returns. By—letâ€s see here—by the end of the month, AEW is going to have two major stars back. Weâ€re talking about Swerve and MJF here.â€

He went on to say that Tony Khan already has storylines lined up:

“They have the creative setup for those two guys for December. I expect them to be back by the time weâ€re in December. And again, weâ€ll see how they stagger those returns—thatâ€s up to Tony, and thatâ€s probably something heâ€s kept close to the vest in terms of who heâ€s bringing back and at what point.â€

As for their physical status, both men are ready. Swerve Strickland recently underwent surgery, but heâ€s now cleared:

“Swerve is good to go, by the way.â€

MJF, on the other hand, has wrapped filming for Violent Night 2. His last appearance was at AEW All Out, where he lost to Mark Briscoe—an outcome that shocked fans and left them speculating when heâ€d return.

AEW has been looking for that extra boost to round out the year, and bringing back two of its biggest names could be exactly what they need. With both Swerve and MJF having main event potential, all eyes will be on how Tony Khan chooses to reintroduce them to AEWâ€s weekly programming.

Do you think AEW will pull the trigger on their returns at the same show—or will they stagger them for maximum impact? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

November 18, 2025 8:46 am

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WWE legend Bully Ray doesn’t believe that WWE should turn Cody Rhodes heel at the moment, and pointed out various flaws in the idea.

While speaking on “Busted Open,” Ray discussed the oft-talked-about subject of a Rhodes heel turn and how Rhodes becoming a bad guy would leave a huge hole in the babyface section of WWE.

“I don’t know of a good reason why you turn Cody Rhodes heel right this second. Because if you turn Cody Rhodes heel right this second, who’s your go-to heel that is going to resonate with children the way Cody does?” he asked. “CM Punk does not have the appeal to children that Cody does. Does CM Punk maybe start appealing to the 13-, 14-year-olds who start to become a little rebellious? Absolutely. Cody also has bright, colorful, the robes, kids dress up like Cody. Cody gives these kids hope.”

Ray has previously pointed out Rhodes’ heel tendencies, and had over a year ago detailed why he didn’t want Rhodes to be a heel. If a heel turn does happen, the tag team legend stated that it would change the landscape of WWE.Â

“You know how much I hate cliches, especially in pro wrestling. And one of the cliches that I hate is the ‘landscape of the WWE, the landscape of professional wrestling will be changed.’ You turn Cody heel, the entire landscape of the WWE changes. Definitively. He is the biggest player, full-time player in the game right now. And Cody does a fantastic job. If you’re a boss, Cody is the guy you want there because he gets it.”

Ray highlighted various impactful heel turns in wrestling history, like those of Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan, noting that each had a clear reason, something he believes should also be present if Cody Rhodes eventually turns heel.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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AEW

WWE legend Bully Ray has pointed out the holes in the storylines that AEW has told, particularly following pay-per-views.

Ray recently discussed the post WrestleDream edition of “AEW Dynamite” on “Busted Open,” where Darby Allin and Jon Moxley continued their rivalry, despite the former defeating the latter in an “I Quit” match at WrestleDream. The tag team legend feels that AEW programming falls flat after an exciting pay-per-view, as Tony Khan and company do not seem to have strong follow-ups to the stories they tell.

“Personally, I’m just having, I’m really having a hard time with the glaring holes. It’s always the lack of, me and you [Dave LaGreca] on the air, all the time, we go through the AEW cycle, right? And what happens? We get to the pay-per-view, and the pay-per-view is good or it’s great. It’s fun and exciting, and you can feel the energy in the room, and they have good houses. And then we always talk about the follow-up. And then there seems to be a lack of follow-up. Are you surprised?” he asked.

When co-host Dave LaGreca asked Ray if he was surprised to see AEW extend the storyline between Darby Allin and Jon Moxley, Ray argued that they have to, as they do not have many wrestlers with significant star power.

“They have to. They’re forced. They have no star power,” declared Ray. “Because they need star power. They need more story.”

LaGreca suggested that AEW should do something with Moxley and the Death Riders, which Ray disagreed with, instead stating that he wants to see Moxley in a storyline with his wife and AEW personality, Renee Paquette. The WWE Hall of Famer had also recently stated that Paquette could be the one to turn Moxley babyface if she were involved in a storyline with him. Tommy Dreamer, who was also on the aforementioned “Busted Open” show, proposed a different storyline, suggesting that the Death Riders could turn on Moxley, with Allin making the save.

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Does Kurt Angle believe that Triple H is doing a good job of leading the creative charge for WWE following Vince McMahonâ€s departure?

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle was a recent guest on The Ariel Helwani Show. When asked for his opinion regarding the job Triple H is currently doing as the Chief Content Officer of WWE, Angle praised the work Hunter has done so far, calling him a great leader.

“Heâ€s doing incredibly well,†Kurt Angle said. “Iâ€m so proud of him, heâ€s a great leader. The thing is, him being retired and out of the business, he really looks at it as, I need to focus on this business and make it the best it can be. Heâ€s done that incredibly well. I think TKO made the right decision on making him in charge of creative. I think heâ€s doing an amazing job.†[H/T: Fightful]

Kurt Angle praises The Rockâ€s work in ‘The Smashing Machineâ€

Earlier this month, Kurt Angle took to social media after seeing The Smashing Machine to praise The Rockâ€s role in the film, stating he believes that he deserves an Oscar for his performance.

“Just watched The Smashing Machine. What a fantastic film that I believe will be considered a classic. Mark Kerr was “The Guy†I had to beat to qualify for the Olympic Games, which pushed me to transform into a version of myself I never thought I could be. Your story, beyond wrestling, is truly inspirational, my friend.

“For Dwayne Johnson to take on such a role and elevate it to another level in his career makes me consider him one of the greatest performers today. Watching Dwayne transform into Mark Kerr through this film was like deja vu…..no words, just applause. This movie deserves an Oscar, and I believe it will receive the recognition it merits. Well done, my brothers. #TheSmashingMachine,†Kurt Angle said in a post.

READ MORE: Kurt Angle Calls This WWE Hall Of Famer The Best Of All Time

What do you make of Kurt Angleâ€s overall comments? Do you also think Triple H is doing a great job with the creative aspect of the WWE product? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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After a quiet summer, Austin Theory seemed set to emerge in a big way this fall. Recent reports had Theory joining former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman as the newest member of The Vision, with Theory’s debut set to occur prior to Survivor Series: WarGames. But those plans have had doubts cast on them after last week, when Rollins was kicked out of The Vision and revealed to be out long-term with a shoulder injury.

For the moment, however, things still look good for Theory, though perhaps not as good as before. Taking to X this morning, Wrestlevotes reported that many voices within WWE were continuing to push for Theory to be involved with the promotion’s ongoing creative plan. It was also confirmed that discussions involving Theory joining The Vision had occurred, and that, regardless if he joined the group or not, Theory had plenty of “internal support” regarding a return in “a significant manner.” While this outlook still appears largely optimistic, and suggests Theory’s return is imminent, it must be noted that the idea of Theory joining The Vision appears to be far less definitive than it was in previous reports.

Sources indicate there are still voices within the company pushing to keep Austin Theory involved in creative plans, even after the recent shuffling caused by Seth Rollins’ injury.

The idea of Theory joining The Vision was at least discussed, and he still has internal support…

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) October 21, 2025

Theory has been absent from WWE since July 12, when he was defeated by El Grande Americano in an episode of “WWE Main Event.” A week later, Theory’s long-time partner Grayson Waller announced that Theory was injured and that their tag team had officially broken up. Though there was some speculation about Theory’s WWE future after he was removed from the internal roster, it was later confirmed that Theory was still with WWE, and had been moved to the injured section of the internal roster.

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