Welcome to Cageside Seats Gripe-a-palooza 2025

Several news stories dropped late on Wednesday here at Cageside Seats. And as the person named the site’s most prolific op-ed writer, by our own Sean Rueter, I have feelings about all of it. Rather than write several pieces, I’m going to put all my thoughts into one article.

And so, in the spirit of the season, I welcome you to the first Gripe-a-palooza. I’m not sure if this will turn into a yearly spectacular on par with WrestleMania or SummerSlam. But at the rate things are going in pro wrestling, this could be a regular feature, kind of like the old In Your House events from the 1990s. But let’s see how this goes.

Let’s begin.

As Darby Allin had Jon Moxley dead to rights, a person in a hoodie attacked Allin. It turned out to be Daniel Garcia, who, apparently, is now a member of Moxley’s Death Riders.

Recently, I wrote about the 30th anniversary of the premiere of WCW Monday Nitro. There, I outlined then-WCW boss Eric Bischoff’s plan for competing with WWE. Per the man himself in a 2014 interview:

When AEW launched, it promised to be an alternative to WWE. In many ways it is, but in other ways it’s not. The use of the tired hooded figure trope makes AEW just as bad as WWE. In some ways, it’s worse because WWE just ran this same angle at Clash In Paris more than a week ago.

To be clear, this is not me dunking on AEW. The same is true of MLW, TNA, and so on. Everyone is playing follow the leader. No one is even trying to be different anymore. If I were tasked with competing with WWE and, to an extent, AEW, I would choose to be different, which means no more hooded figures.

Here’s another question: With so much concern over WWE’s business dealings with Saudi Arabia, where do these wrestlers get their hoodies from? Are they made in the USA, or are these cloaks of mystery made overseas with the use of child labor?

I might have to call for an entire boycott of the industry if wrestlers are buying their hoodies from companies that use child labor.

Buy American, people.

Oh, and speaking of WWE and Saudi Arabia...

According to several reports, WrestleMania 43 is coming to Saudi Arabia in 2027, which you can read about here.

If true, the irony is not lost on me. This would come on the 40th anniversary of wrestling’s “Real American” Hulk Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. Incredible.

I understand the unease that many have with WWE’s deal with Saudi Arabia. While I understand the strategy at play isn’t a noble undertaking, as others would have us believe, I say this:

People are not their government. For the fans, many of whom may not be in agreement with their country’s actions — just like a lot of Americans don’t agree with the current regime — I’m happy for them.

It’s a shame that politics and religion divide us so deeply when we’re all so much alike. The Saudi fans are among the most passionate crowds WWE performs for, and this will be a monumental event for them.

Besides, living in SoCal, this means WrestleMania should be over by 3 p.m. PT. Assuming I’m on post-show duty, I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a late spring afternoon or early evening with Mrs. G0MEZ. Why, we’ll probably head to Denny’s for a Triple Juicy Burger — no bun, of course, because such carbs are not my friend.

And hey, good for WWE and TKO, its parent company, who will have the ultimate opportunity to maximize their earning potential.

Which brings me to...

This week, TKO COO Mark Shapiro spoke at a conference, and based on what he had to say, WWE’s ticket prices — which are already ridiculously overpriced — are about to get worse. Per Shapiro:

That’s what Shapiro said. Let me tell you what I interpreted:

There was a time when I called for a halt on honoring McMahon, given the number of scandals he has been tied to over the years. But, begrudgingly, I have to hand it to him here. Considering Stephanie McMahon recently encouraged fans to use a VPN to watch WWE on Netflix internationally and avoid paying for ESPN’s new streaming service, that might suggest that the McMahons have a bit of heart after all.

I see it two ways. First, if people are willing to pay the price, and based on the number of sellout shows, they are, then WWE has no reason to change its pricing model. Good on them for making a wise business move.

On the other hand, I see the bigger picture, one that speaks to a growing societal problem. One of the responses I’ve seen to fans being priced out of shows is, “Oh well, maybe it’s just not for you.”

In the endless pursuit of money by big-time corporations and everyone else “trying to get their cheddar,” it seems a lot of things aren’t for us. You know, things like an affordable night out with the family, healthcare, or housing.

Not everyone has the means to become doctors, lawyers, and techies. Sometimes, the best a person can be is to be the greatest fry cook in McDonald’s history. And if that’s their lot in life, they deserve a break. They deserve a chance to get away from the daily struggle and be welcomed to the show by making it reasonable to do so. And by pricing these people out, WWE risks alienating the next generation of fans.

I know, it’s a naïve thought in 2025, when money is king and making it is above all else.

One thing at least remains true: money is the root of all evil.

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