REJECTED: The podcast guests that could have been

Ric Flair has an invitation here
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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For nearly two years I've been doing a wrestling podcast on iTunes and the Jittery Monkey Podcasting Network. It's given me an opportunity to interview a variety of wrestling legends, current Superstars and indy talents around the world.

Here are just a few of the greats I've had the chance to interview: WWE Hall of Famers like Mick Foley, Bushwhacker Luke, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and "Cowboy" Bob Orton. The legends including Honky Tonk Man, Jeff Jarrett, Kamala, Terri Runnels and "Beautiful" Bobby Eaton. Current Superstars like Sheamus, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have all be on too. Indy favorites Heath Hatton, Farmer Billy Hills and "Golden Boy" Greg Anthony are friends of the show as well. It's an impressive lineup if I do say so myself. 

But for all the luck I've had securing guests (and I can thank a variety of friends in the business for hooking me up), there have been plenty of rejections. I typically email or tweet potential guests and ask if they're up for doing a show. Here's a few that either declined or never responded. I hold out hope that these men and women will one day be a part of 
My 1-2-3 Cents The Podcast.

Roddy Piper (prior to his death obviously) - No response

Victoria - Not doing interviews at this time.

Elvira (she was a WrestleMania celebrity I wanted for the Halloween show) - Booked through the rest of the year.

Mr. Pectacular - When busy schedule slows down.

Eric Bischoff - No response

Dutch Mantell (aka Zeb Colter) - No response

Vader - No response
Bruce Prichard - No response 

Ric Flair - I aimed really high with this one. Holding out hope he'll join me one day. Woo!

You don't know Jack

Jack Swagger arrives on SmackDown Live
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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On SmackDown Live this week, Jack Swagger showed up, announcing he'd left Raw and was the newest signee to the blue brand. Since the brand extension I believe this past week may have been Swagger's first match. I could be wrong about that, but my point is he's been low profile for months.

Swagger stares down Baron Corbin
Courtesy: WWE

After running off Baron Corbin, Swagger used the line "You don't know Jack!" It implied he may be undergoing some kind of change, I'm guessing in attitude. But then he concluded with his signature line "We the People!" and a loud pop from the crowd. I hope they're not planting a seed and developing a partnership between Corbin and Swagger.

Champ!
Courtesy:WWE

Swagger is one of those guys who was pushed too quickly, winning the World Heavyweight Championship from Chris Jericho in 2010. The reign lasted less than three months and Swagger dropped to the mid-card status at best. His career received new life when Zeb Colter came in as his manager. But after turning into a good guy and tapping out to Rusev countless times, fans lost what remaining interest in Swagger they had.

I don't anticipate any big things in the future for Swagger. He'll probably win a few squash matches and maybe challenge for the Intercontinental Championship at best. It's a shame too, at age 34 Swagger still has plenty to offer. If they're turning him into a heel again, I'd really like to see him with a manager and try to recapture that chemistry he and Colter had.

The precious art of managing

"Precious" Paul Ellering is back
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast

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One of the big surprise appears at NXT Takeover: The End of the Beginning was the appearance of WWE Hall of Famer "Precious" Paul Ellering. He of course rose to fame as the manager of the Road Warriors during their runs in the AWA, NWA and WWF. One can only assume Ellering is back to manage the two men who attacked American Alpha after the tag 
team title match.

The Road Warriors & Ellering
Courtesy: WWE

For long time I've wanted more managerial presence in wrestling. Zeb Colter has been released, Ric Flair isn't with Charolette anymore and Paul Heyman only appears occasionally. So bringing in someone the caliber of Ellering is perfect. But WWE shouldn't stop with the Hall of Famer. Let this be the start of a manager revolution. 

WrestleMania IV
Courtesy: WWE

Look back at WrestleMania IV. There were seven different managers on that show (not counting Virgil and Peggy Sue).  I'm not suggesting we need that many, but three or four along with the development of a couple of stables would be great. During our recent Facebook Live chat and previous conversations, Chad and I agreed Roman Reigns could benefit greatly from having someone else doing the talking for him.

WWE doesn't have to bring back former managers to accomplish this, although I'd love to see Jim Cornette back too. The company needs to start developing a new generation of managers and allow them to learn from Heyman and Ellering now.

My one & only managerial experience

The ball was dropped years ago with Armando Estrada. It's time to pick it up and score big. We're off to a great start. I'd love to be in that class. Remember I once managed Velvet Sky at TNA house show. It's always been a dream of mine to be a wrestling manager. 

We The People

Ready to Rumble
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I try to keep an open mind when watching wrestling.  I know from time to time on this blog I have been critical of the decisions made in regards to some storylines and angles.  But for the most part, I try to stay positive and enjoy the show.

Now that I have that out of the way, I want to tackle the current feud brewing between Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter, the Real Americans and Rusev and Lana, who have pledged their allegiance to Mother Russia.  I really do like the work the WWE has done with the Rusev, making the once referred to Bulgarian Brute one of the most destructive forces in recent WWE memory.  My criticism comes with the decision to make Swagger the patriotic American to face the monster heel Rusev.

Lana lays the smack down
Photo courtesy: WWE

I don't dislike Swagger at all.  In fact, his gimmick with Colter helped renew my interest in this former World champion who has clearly been lost in the shuffle. But up until three weeks ago, Swagger was one of the last people I would have thought of going toe to toe with Rusev.  To say he's floundered would be putting it kindly.  I enjoyed he and Cesaro as a tag team and thought the duo had a legitimate shot at becoming tag team champions.  But since The Real Americans' split after Wrestlemania, Swagger has done very little to impress.

His most recent "feud" was with Adam Rose.  Swagger lost their first encounter in two minutes and 18 seconds on SmackDown. Their followup match happened on Raw.  Swagger dropped that one in just under three minutes.  I'm not taking anything away from Rose, but I find it hard to believe that Swagger is going to be the man to end Rusev's streak, especially since Rusev handled Big E pretty easily, a man who had given Swagger a hard time not that along ago too.

Patriot Lock!
Photo courtesy: WWE

I will admit that the WWE has done a good job strengthening Swagger, having him go toe to toe in the recent showdowns with Rusev.  I just worry that it may be too little too late.  Sunday evening we'll all know for sure.