Jim Cornette does a weekly review of AEW Dynamite on his podcast, and it's more than fair to say that the always outspoken former manger/announcer is not a big fan. In fact, a few individual wrestlers/occasional matches aside, he bloody hates it.
Jim's biggest problem seems to stem from the promotion utilizing what he refers to as "untrained, outlaw, mudshow" talent, and an overreliance on sillier angles and concepts such as the recent "Tooth and Nail" match between Britt Baker and Big Swole. Many old-school fans would tend to agree with his criticisms, but fellow legend Arn Anderson sees things a little differently.
During the latest episode of his own podcast, the current AEW manager gave a very measured and fair response to Cornette, even admitting that he agrees with some of his points. However, he also acknowledges that pro-wrestling needs to move with the times.
“Well, Jimmy, like everybody else and every single person on this earth, they have a right to their opinion. I would just say: stay true to whatever you truly believe and you have the right to feel any way you want. I have mixed feelings about a lot of things in this world, and you have a right to voice them. Jimmy has his way of looking at the business and I respect a lot of that. I also think we all have to evolve and we have to cater to some of what’s already been introduced as far as higher impact moves, and bumps, and things of that nature, and just the sheer physical part of how the business has evolved.”
“We have to accept that that’s here and it’s probably going to stay, but I also do respect the fact that we have to protect the talent from themselves,” Arn continued. “We’ve got to protect the story that we’re telling in the ring and we have to protect each other, and I do feel, which I think Jimmy does too, is we’ve got to dial down a little bit of the danger and some of the things that talent are doing.”
“We got to protect them from themselves, and a lot of things – Jimmy – I share his thoughts about old school rules of the business, and I certainly have my own way looking at the business these days. But I do think we have to be flexible in our thought process and, more or less, get our finger on the pulse of which is the most important. What does the audience want, and listen to our audience and listen to what they say.”
What do you male of Anderson's response? Do you agree with any of the points made by Jim Cornette? Drop us a comment down below.