Episode 332: Ego Vs Ego SummerSlam 2005

·1 hr 58 min·5 clips

At 73, Jim Ross confesses pro wrestling is like a mistress he can't live without.

The episode begins with a mortgage advertisement testimonial before host Conrad Thompson introduces Jim Ross. Ross opens up about ongoing pain from his hip replacement surgery and plans to move back to Oklahoma. The discussion shifts to major sports media deals, with Ross analyzing UFC's $7 billion move to Paramount and comparing Dana White's business acumen to old-school wrestling promoters. A significant portion focuses on Vince McMahon's recent appearance on a TMZ Hulk Hogan tribute special; Ross offers a critical assessment of McMahon's physical appearance and demeanor, calling him 'horrible' and 'withdrawn.' Ross and Thompson delve into Hogan's legacy, the sex tape scandal, and Vince's comments defending Hogan against racism allegations. Ross reflects on his own career, expressing a deep-seated need to return to wrestling commentary for AEW, describing it as a 'mistress' he can't quit. They preview AEW's Forbidden Door pay-per-view at London's O2 Arena, with Ross praising the work ethic of Japanese wrestlers like Kazuchika Okada. The episode then transitions to the main topic, SummerSlam 2005, covering the Hulk Hogan vs. Shawn Michaels feud, the real-life Edge-Lita-Matt Hardy love triangle angle, and the controversial 'Custody of Dominick' storyline involving Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. Ross shares backstage insights on CM Punk's early WWE days, the Diva Search, and the firing of merchandise head Dave Hebner. The conversation also touches on Bret Hart's DVD deal, Dusty Rhodes' potential WWE return, and Ross's role in acquiring wrestling tape libraries for WWE's future network.

As heard by us

A sharp look at the tension, status, and career stakes behind Hogan and Michaels' main-event match.

The episode digs into the uneasy chemistry around Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels' main-event match, using that pairing to show where both men sat in wrestling's pecking order.

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Why you'd press play

Want the backstage logic behind the Hogan and Shawn Michaels main event?

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