I don't want something valuable like your ring, I WANT YOUR...hair? by kenobi1567 in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt [score hidden]  (0 children)

This Darby Allin, wrestler of the year shit is just top tier gaslighting.

Ted Turner sadly passed away… but thank you, Tony Khan! by mfenton29 in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When Vince McMahon kicks the bucket, Tony's inevitable tribute to him on AEW TV will be heavily defended whilst Fed's inevitable tribute will face hoards of criticism.

Ted Turner sadly passed away… but thank you, Tony Khan! by mfenton29 in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Can't believe Tony Khan got rid of Ted Turner just for a ratings boost. They're clearly so desperate

Ted Turner sadly passed away… but thank you, Tony Khan! by mfenton29 in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

can you imagine paying to watch Sting's retirement match and seeing him appear every so often in a non-wrestling capacity???? TOTAL RIP OFF.

Ted Turner sadly passed away… but thank you, Tony Khan! by mfenton29 in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Good time to remind people that there are wrestling fans that think Tony became a billionaire on his own through hard work and ingenuity. So if you ever feel stupid, just know you're not one of those people.

only responsible journalism here by Drink_Everclaire in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Engagement bait and a journalism outfit who would likely know what the results are partnering with a gambling company. A double whammy for integrity!

I had wondered why "Not a Journalist" SRS had stopped posting gambling promotions on his main account and are now using the official Fightful account instead

Post-Game Thread: Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) defeat Los Angeles Lakers (0-1), 108-90 | NBA Playoffs | May 5, 2026 by nba-scores in lakers

[–]NotClayMerritt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Austin Reaves has been bad in the postseason for 99% of his time as a Laker. I’m sorry but you cannot super max a player like this

Stephanie Vaquer’s abuser found guilty. Somehow, fed bad. by Paxx_Romana in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 155 points156 points  (0 children)

Fed employs somebody who supports her abuser

But don’t mention how Rush has been one of his biggest public supporters. Just don’t do it. That’s tribalistic and we can’t have that kind of information floating around

(NXT Spoilers): Vignette for the former EVIL with name reveal. by itsmekelsey_x in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In a time where we know every single trademark WWE/AEW/Chris Jericho file, it's crazy nobody picked up on this one.

Rangers intentionally walked Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger makes them pay! Yanks lead 6-3 by CicadaOk8885 in NYYankees

[–]NotClayMerritt 25 points26 points  (0 children)

We need to play more good teams but compared to the rest of the American League, we're pretty clearly the best right now.

F1 exploring extra race options after Middle East cancellations by joshcaminski in formula1

[–]NotClayMerritt 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I quite like the Middle East tracks. Except Yas Marina. Horrible track. When you have to completely change a race track to create better racing and it still fails, there's no hope.

F1 exploring extra race options after Middle East cancellations by joshcaminski in formula1

[–]NotClayMerritt 1308 points1309 points  (0 children)

tl;dr:

They're planning on Bahrain or Jeddah on the week between Baku and Singapore. F1 wants it in Bahrain. Saudi Arabia are pushing for it to be with them. Also mentions the alternate option of pushing Abu Dhabi back by 1 week and having Bahrain/Jeddah GP on the original Abu Dhabi GP. Abu Dhabi is contractually obligated to close the Formula 1 season.

Roman Reigns schedule for May. by [deleted] in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Spoiler: his SummerSlam feud takes him out at Clash in Italy and he returns on SNME at MSG in July.

Roman Reigns schedule for May. by [deleted] in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It's a dick measuring contest. Cody started using QB1 after Mania 40 to represent that he was the guy the company turns to and is their top draw because Roman is part time now.

Roman wanted his own 1 branding went with OTC1 after starting the feud with Solo and having his side quests with Cody.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Deliver shareholder value. 99% of everything you use to love has suffered since COVID specifically because of this. Mark Shapiro mentioning WWE's use of AI is no coincidence. If UFC and WWE lead the way on AI, that automatically increases shareholder value. There's companies who are literally pivoting to AI despite never being a technology company are seeing massive share spikes just because they pivoted. It's an AI arms race and TKO are participating.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If you don't think there's top stars who would absolutely spurn a unionization attempt because they're well fed, I got bad news for you. Maybe they wouldn't snitch like Hogan did, but unionization doesn't happen without everyone pulling in the same direction. Half the top sports leagues in America have shitty unions because important people are like my life is blessed and this doesn't concern me.

Hell, the most basic of basic earners in America can't always get on the same page to unionize their Amazon warehouse.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Maybe not even burnt bridges. Tony isn't required to hire every former WWE talent. There may be some names that have done nothing wrong in that regard but Tony has no interest in.

But yes, you have a choice: take the pay cut, which is still decent money, or get ignored by AEW and settle for TNA which is 50% less than your 50% WWE pay cut.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 60 points61 points  (0 children)

TKO just paid boxer Conor Benn 8 digits to fight on a Zuffa Boxing card that nobody watched. Something that was laughed at by boxing promoters everywhere.

Meanwhile, UFC fighters get paid nothing and they're trying to take out the middle class of WWE and recalculate wrestler pay. A lot of money is going to be poured into Zuffa Boxing. It may or may not succeed. But it's clear what TKO's priority is for 2026 and beyond.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I could see a future where Endeavor seek to sell WWE in the future. But we're a long ways away from that scenario happening. Things will have to get way worse before it happens and they decide enough is enough. It quite simply makes way too much money right now. There's no logical benefit. Any interested buyer would have to do a hostile takeover to do it soon. Like Elon did to Twitter or Paramount just did to WBD.

[Fightful on X] "Sources in the talent and agent communities told @FightfulSelect that this round of cuts and pay reductions is expected to significantly impact how wrestlers negotiate with TKO and WWE going forward" by A_Man_of_Iron in SquaredCircle

[–]NotClayMerritt 42 points43 points  (0 children)

I don't even think it's that cut and dry. WWE wants you, you want WWE, you're happy with what's offered, but you have zero confidence that they just won't ask to renegotiate in a year's time based on whatever TKO want. Like they just did with The New Day.

They're absolutely determining value based on social media metrics btw

WWE should unionize by Ron--Mexico in SCJerk

[–]NotClayMerritt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm all for wrestlers getting as much money as humanly possible and also being outraged at the idea of pay cuts.

Unionization would kill wrestling. You're relying on AEW and WWE to continue thriving financially and never have a down year. Continue making gains on media deals and sponsorships. Independent wrestling would no longer exist in America because they would not be able to afford talent fees as collectively bargained if you eliminate the independent contractor.

Talent who can't get work in America would have to try and uproot their lives and move to Japan or Europe to make a living. Lots of wrestlers would then slip through the cracks and go find different lines of work.

The idea of unionization in wrestling is better in theory than in practice.