Browsing: politics

John Cena isnâ€t buying the idea that success in pro wrestling, especially WWE, is all about backstage politics—and heâ€s got two decades of top-level experience to back it up.

During his conversation on The Bill Simmons Podcast, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion shut down the notion that the biggest stars in wrestling are made through backdoor deals or personal favors. Cena made it clear: the ring and the fans decide everything.

“I believe sports entertainment is the perfect meritocracy. Because thereâ€s noise. That crowd noise tells the truth. And promoters, whether they like you or not, they hear it.â€

Simmons brought up the criticism that followed Hulk Hoganâ€s death—particularly claims that Hogan didnâ€t “pay it forward†and protected his spot in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Cena didnâ€t deny that mindset existed, but explained it as a byproduct of wrestlingâ€s roots.

“Wrestling was a territorial, gangster business—it was cutthroat. If you had something going, you wanted to keep it… Just because wrestling became national, you didnâ€t take the gangster out of the guy.â€

The Leader of Cenation went deeper, taking aim at the old excuse many wrestlers still bring up today.

“There are old stories: ‘I didnâ€t get the shot because the promoter hated me.†But if they hear the crowd, they have to give you another chance. And if you get that noise again, you get another chance. And then another. And eventually the office likes you—not because they changed their mind personally, but because the audience left them no choice.â€

When it came to his own journey, Cena said he focused on what he could control—work ethic, consistency, and earning the crowdâ€s reaction.

“My mindset was: letâ€s go out there, put a mic in my hand, ring the bell, and Iâ€ll be as good as anyone in there. Iâ€ll get the crowd. Iâ€ll be prepared. Thatâ€s how I held onto my spot.â€

John Cena admitted that being on top tests a performerâ€s true character, but he never felt threatened by someone coming for his place.

“Give them power, or take it away, and youâ€ll see their true self. When someone else can do it better than me? Great. Itâ€s your turn.â€

Cena also believes the industry has evolved dramatically since he debuted.

“From my perspective—and this might not be everyoneâ€s truth—but I feel like thereâ€s a lot less backstage politics in 2025 than when I started in 2002. Iâ€m not saying itâ€s gone, but itâ€s way less.â€

And he hopes to inspire the next generation to rethink the entire idea of “holding on to your spot.â€

“Maybe I can be the first wrestler who really retires… Thatâ€s a new model. Athletes have to ask: do you keep chasing ‘one more†over and over, or say, ‘Iâ€ve got one great year in me—letâ€s plan that.â€â€

Whether you love him or love to hate him, John Cenaâ€s message is clear: show up, win over the crowd, and let the work speak louder than politics.

Do you think John Cena really helped shift pro wrestling away from politics—or are the old systems still in place behind the curtain? Was his rise about merit, timing, or both? Drop your take in the comments and letâ€s talk.

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

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Speculation is heating up over a potential dream match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi at the 2026 Tokyo Dome show—but nothing is official just yet.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the buzz after Nakamura teased Tanahashi mannerisms during WWEâ€s recent tour of Japan. That sparked speculation that a major WWE vs NJPW crossover match could be in the works. But despite how real the chatter sounds, Meltzer poured cold water on assumptions. He explained that although the idea is floating around, itâ€s far from confirmed.

“Thereâ€s been a lot, a lot, a lot of talk about Tanahashi and Nakamura at the Tokyo Dome show. And I would just say—itâ€s not a done deal right now.â€

Nakamuraâ€s current WWE contract reportedly includes a clause allowing him to wrestle in Japan, which would open the door for the match. Still, Meltzer pointed out that the political situation is tricky, since NJPW has a strong working relationship with AEW.

“Itâ€s a weird political thing because obviously, New Japan and AEW work very closely together, and Nakamura is a WWE guy. They havenâ€t had a WWE guy really do anything [with NJPW] except for Karl Anderson, and that was very complicated.â€

Despite that, Meltzer believes this might be one situation where personal respect and legacy could win out over business competition. And it all comes down to what Tanahashi wants.

“My gut is, even though WWE and AEW are feuding… if Tanahashi wants to retire against Nakamura and they can pull it off, I think that should be okay.â€

If the match happens, it could be one of the most meaningful swan songs in Tanahashiâ€s legendary career. But with no deal in place, fans will have to wait and see if this dream bout turns into reality.

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

Do you want to see Tanahashi face Nakamura one last time at the Tokyo Dome? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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Hollywood can be a tricky place, and sometimes feuds will erupt out of nowhere. Politics can also come into play, but there are always two sides of looking at any decision. Still, Hornswoggle hasnâ€t forgotten how he believes Peter Dinklage took a lot of roles away from fellow little people.

Hornswoggle has seen controversy before, and heâ€s certainly fearless about this subject. “F*ck Peter Dinklage. Man, like, I donâ€t know, maybe I shouldnâ€t speak on it, but I donâ€t care,†Hornswoggle said on the Ariel Helwani Show after the host brought up his beef with the Game of Thrones star.

When asked if he has buried the hatched with Peter Dinklage, Honswoggle replied, “No! Because he hasnâ€t responded back.â€

This all stems from the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs movie, which Peter Dinklage was highly vocal about. Hornswoggle remembered how this beef started, as he recounted to Ariel Helwani.

“Hereâ€s the thing, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney was putting it out. Peter Dinklage was on a podcast and said, ‘what Iâ€ve been fighting for my community to get these other roles,†this that and the other thing. So Disney cancels it, and then Disney casts it as normal-sized actors, and not dwarfs. What are we doing?â€

“Now, I stand up for my community. My issue is when you did Elf, that check cashed just fine. Youâ€ve done a lot of roles where it was made for a little person. Sure, have you done roles that werenâ€t? Yes, and Iâ€m very proud of you for doing those roles.â€

Hornswoggle then broke it down that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs could have given seven amazing roles to actors in the little person community. He didnâ€t want those parts, but others would have thrived at the chance to audition for that Disney film. Those seven roles would have also come with casting extras, stunt doubles, and understudies.

Now, Hornswoggle states that thanks to Peter Dinklageâ€s stance on the matter, Disney went another direction to take those roles away. Swoggle also questioned why Dinklage is a representative voice for his community in the first place.

When Ariel Helwani asked Hornswoggle if he believes Peter Dinklage has the political pull to make Disney change their decision about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, he responded, “Yes.â€

We will have to see if Peter Dinlage ever responds to Hornswoggle about this. After all, Swoggle said that heâ€s still upset about the situation because heâ€s been ghosted so far.

What’s your take on this matter? Does Hornswoggle have a legit gripe about things? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SUMMARY of #880 cover-dated September 24, 2005: The cover story looks at TNA’s decision to give the NWA World Title belt back to Jeff Jarrett just before the Spike TV debut… Promoter Gabe Sapolsky tells the Torch about the ROH World Title change and the departure of Mick Foley in the ROH Newswire… Pat McNeill, Bruce Mitchell, and Wade Keller each tackle the issue of WWE’s aggressive protection of their trademarks as it relates to Hardcore Homecoming with in-depth analysis, sarcasm, and historical perspective mixed in… Part one of the Jeff Hardy “Torch Talk” feature Jeff’s most in-depth discussion yet about the Lita-Edge controversy including his regrets over how he handled the situation himself, who he wants to apologize to, why he sees more than one side to the story, and details of his relationship with his brother these days, plus his hopes and dreams for TNA now that the Spike TV debut is near, and more. It’s a great follow-up on the Ultimate Insiders DVD interview with Jeff… In-depth coverage of WWE Unforgiven including columnist Roundtable Reviews… Also WWE Newswire with inside news, TNA Newswire, Top Five Stories of the Week, The Raw Big Story, The Smackdown Big Story, The OVW TV Big Story, Backtrack on Lex Luger’s surprise jump to WCW, Arena Spotlight, and more…

–DIRECT LINK: PWTorchNewsletter #880

–LIST OF ALL 2005 BACK ISSUES

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FULL NEWSLETTER TEXT AND PDF VERSIONS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO VIP MEMBERS…

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO WITH DIGITAL PDF & TEXT NEWSLETTER ACCESS

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