Brandon LeClair

Excited to dive in to more of the Torch’s coverage of Hogan soon, but special shout-out to @richfann.bsky.social for the usual poignant, nuanced and astute discussion points.

Join Greg and me on Saturday for all things #Wrestlemania night 1, and then @pwtorch.bsky.social contributor Chris Adams makes his post-show debut (with me, at least!) on night 2!

Not sure it would be possible to more disappointed by the John Cena heel character thus far. Just two total misses for me.

I just think the more earnest/believable approach is Cena coming from a place of desperation that leads him to being alone on an island he didn’t expect, not some deep-rooted resentment that emerged at a pretty odd time.

To me, they had a compelling, nuanced story at their feet and this felt like they skipped over that to get to a very basic “you people” approach. They can work backward now, and it’ll probably work out just fine, but I’ve got to critique it how it comes.

The crowd has been almost universally with him for years, so for him to suddenly have a problem with them felt like a leap in logic. They could’ve still gotten here and done this promo after he explained his motivation and the crowd rejected him.

I know this is addressed to Frank, but I think my hang up is that the motivation feels off. Cena turning heel in the way he did (joining corporate Rock) felt like a means of elevating his chances of one more ride on top, not like a rejection of the audience…

I do think it’s probably going to feel foreign all the way through (largely because I don’t foresee this turn lasting all that long) but I do think there’s time to get me back on board. Levesque still gets my benefit of the doubt, booking wise.

It certainly got him booed, but I felt like it was too much of a generic, one note heel turn promo for what was the follow up to such a massive angle. There’s a lot of nuance to this and I hope Cody calling him out allows him to explore some of that in his other appearances.

Ties in to the crisis in confidence, and also, he could’ve approached it like he expected the crowd to understand once he explained himself. When they inevitably reacted poorly, then he could’ve done this. Jumping right to this felt phony and hollow.

I think you could’ve taken the approach that Cena was consumed by his recent record and, despite winning the Chamber on his own (even though he really didn’t), he wants to fully cement his legacy by breaking the record and to guarantee it, he sold out to the board.

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The Democratic Party either needs to have its Tea Party moment or just start calling themselves Republicans.

Props to AOC for calling this what it is.

Stick here for the next several hours for my #AEWRevolution thoughts, then join @bleclair12.bsky.social and me afterward as we interact with callers and folks in the YouTube chat on @pwtorch Wrestling Night in America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=75W6...

Tonight after #AEWRevolution, I join @bleclair12.bsky.social on @pwtorch.bsky.social Wrestling Night in America on Youtube! Just like old times.

Cam killing it, as usual.

Interesting! They’re not typically in my wheelhouse but I came around to them with their last EP. Haven’t heard them, but I’ll take a look!

New Spiritbox record is insane. Buy it/stream it tomorrow.

Alright, Twitter account officially closed/deleted. Counting on you for NFL free agency, Blue Sky. Don’t let me down!

The Democrats aren’t coming to save us. They are complicit. They are cowards. They won’t stand up to billionaires because that would upset THEIR billionaires.

Pro Wrestling Then and Now YouTube video by Pro Wrestling Torch

Always a pleasure to have @bleclair12.bsky.social join me. We look back at Saturday Night’s Main Event Episodes 3 & 4. Give a listen! @pwtorch.bsky.social @thewadekeller.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/br86AwJ...

Wound up with the Office Chairs subreddit in my algorithm and holy shit those people are dedicated/nuts in the best way and also do I need a $1,500 chair now?

But, with that said - I’m working through this year’s Oscar noms and enjoying the hell out of them AND so many of my favorite bands are releasing music this year and that’s brought some sunshine to this hellscape!

I’ve been pretty dormant lately in large part because I’m (1) continuously disheartened by the grossness of WWE corporate despite thinking the product is largely the best it’s been in years and (2) not at all vibing with the current AEW product but not wanting to yuck people’s yum.

Surely not racist. Surely.

In case you missed it, @bleclair12.bsky.social and I broke down the #RoyalRumble with VIP callers and folks in the chat. Listen today!

YouTube video by Pro Wrestling Torch WWE Royal Rumble PLE Post-Show LIVE w/ Brandon LeClair & Greg Parks

Surprise! I'll be joining @bleclair12.bsky.social on the @pwtorch.bsky.social YouTube page for the Royal Rumble post-show, talking all about the results and taking questions from viewers/listeners! Tune in after the #RoyalRumble
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXkP...

Holding down the fort for @pwtorch.bsky.social tonight covering AEW World’s End, then I’ll be hosting a special edition of Wrestling Night in America with @frankpeteani73.bsky.social. Gonna be a fun evening!

Congrats, Greg!

Programming note: I’ll be hosting a post-Survivor Series edition of Wrestling Night in America TOMORROW night at 8 est for @pwtorch.bsky.social!