Imagine a world where the heart-pounding excitement of professional wrestling is overshadowed by boardroom decisions—WWE's choices now seem to cater more to Wall Street investors than to the die-hard fans who bleed for every suplex and storyline. That's the shocking reality Jeff Jarrett and Conrad Thompson unpacked on the final episode of 'My World' for 2025, diving into the year's standout moments under the 'Good, Bad, and Ugly' framework. It's a conversation that hits hard, especially for newcomers to wrestling's wild world, and it might just make you question everything you thought you knew about the business behind the bouts. But here's where it gets controversial—stick around as we explore how celebrity stunts and corporate pressures are reshaping the WWE landscape, and why it could mean trouble for the wrestling world we love.
Kicking things off with the lowlights, Thompson didn't hold back in calling out the involvement of hip-hop star Travis Scott as the ultimate 'Ugly' of the year. He pointed out Scott's roles in major events like John Cena's retirement tour and even the WrestleMania main event. For those new to this, WrestleMania is WWE's biggest annual spectacle, like the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, packed with high-stakes matches and over-the-top performances. Thompson predicted that, down the line, people won't look back on that main event with fond memories—it won't age well, he argued, feeling like a rushed, poorly thought-out decision that prioritized hype over authenticity.
Jarrett jumped in to provide some background on the buzz surrounding Scott's appearance, especially the rumors about how physical things got. He recalled reports suggesting that Cena had revealed Scott bailed on certain intense aspects of the performance, like taking a big 'bomb'—that's wrestling lingo for a high-impact move, often a chokeslam or something equally brutal that could leave you sore for days. Scott allegedly opted out, choosing to keep his millions safe rather than diving into the real danger of the ring. Thompson chimed in, referencing Logan Paul's podcast 'Impaulsive,' where Paul claimed Scott simply didn't show up as expected. It paints a picture of WWE going all out to feature him prominently in the WrestleMania main event, only for the feelings not to be mutual—Scott didn't seem to reciprocate the enthusiasm.
And this is the part most people miss—the discussion seamlessly transitioned to how big business is pulling the strings behind WWE's creative choices, particularly with The Rock's comeback. Thompson dissected the story of how Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson got roped into the Elimination Chamber event, which is another key WWE pay-per-view where wrestlers battle in a steel chamber cage for a shot at the championship. According to the narrative, The Rock got a call from Ari Emanuel—head of Endeavor, the parent company behind WWE—essentially asking for 'Rock dust,' a fun nod to Johnson's nickname, to sprinkle some star power on the show. But Thompson saw it as a corporate executive making wrestling decisions, reminiscent of the over-the-top, star-driven chaos of WCW in 1998. For beginners, WCW was WWE's old rival, known for flashy celebrities and big-money deals that sometimes felt disconnected from true wrestling passion.
Jarrett wholeheartedly agreed, framing this as a pivotal shift for the entire industry in 2025. He noted that WWE, the longstanding leader in the wrestling world, has flipped its decision-making process—now answering to Wall Street investors instead of the passionate fans who live and breathe this sport. 'This is the biggest 'bad' of 2025,' Jarrett emphasized, 'because it's crystal clear that's the new reality.' To help illustrate, think of it like this: in the past, WWE crafted storylines and matches based on what would excite the crowd, much like a passionate artist creating for their devoted audience. Now, it's more about pleasing shareholders who care about quarterly profits.
Diving deeper, Jarrett warned about the long-term fallout under the TKO Group banner (that's the company formed by WWE and UFC mergers). If Ari Emanuel's team keeps prioritizing stock market gains over listening to fan feedback, it could lead to a wrestling landscape that's less engaging and more predictable. After all, wrestling is entertainment at its core, where creativity thrives on connection with the audience, not just balance sheets.
To drive his point home, Jarrett drew a clever analogy from the music industry, comparing it to country star Toby Keith's approach. Keith didn't craft his songs by chasing what radio stations demanded; instead, he focused on writing tunes that resonated with his fans and, ironically, ended up raking in the big bucks. The key difference, Jarrett explained, is that true creativity driven by passion often outperforms cold calculations aimed solely at profit. It's like the difference between a heartfelt indie film that becomes a cult classic versus a blockbuster sequel made just to hit the next earnings report.
In wrapping up, this shift raises some eyebrow-raising questions: Is WWE's pivot to Wall Street a smart business move for long-term success, or is it risking the soul of wrestling by alienating its core audience? Could celebrity crossovers like Travis Scott's actually boost the sport's popularity with new fans, or do they dilute the authenticity that makes WWE special? And what about The Rock's return—was it a stroke of genius or just another example of corporate meddling? As a wrestling enthusiast, I can't help but wonder if this Wall Street focus will create more 'ugly' moments in the future. What do you think? Do you agree with Jarrett and Thompson that fan passion should trump profit margins, or is there a way to balance both? Share your opinions in the comments below—let's debate whether WWE can reclaim its wrestling roots or if this is the new normal we have to accept. (Note: This piece draws from insights discussed on AdFreeShows.com, with a hat tip to WrestlingNews.co for transcription details.)
