Episode 439: Jim Reviews AEW Dynasty
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In this comprehensive episode of Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru, Jim and Brian deliver a blistering critique of AEW Dynasty 2026, condemning the event for its chaotic booking, lack of structure, and overreliance on high-risk spots that undermine traditional wrestling storytelling. Jim singles out the Will Osprey vs. Jon Moxley match as a career-ending misfire for AEW’s top babyface, calling it a narrative disaster, while praising the FTR vs. Edge & Christian bout as the night’s best—despite its bloated pacing and weak booking. The hosts extend their criticism to WWE Raw, lamenting its excessive promo length, stagnant storytelling, and the underwhelming handling of the Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns feud, while also reflecting on the surreal 1996 Walt Whitman Truck Stop show as a benchmark for raw, unfiltered hardcore wrestling. Jim then turns satirical, mocking WWE’s $25,000 Elite Package for SummerSlam as an absurd luxury experience, contrasting it with AEW’s $5 tickets and proposing a radical monetization idea: letting fans pay to book match finishes—ranging from $5,000 to $100,000—arguing it could generate more revenue than ticket sales alone. Drawing on nostalgia and historical pricing, Jim reflects on how strategic price increases, like those used by Dutch Mantell, can boost gate revenue without hurting attendance, while promoting his Patreon, YouTube channel, collectibles, and law firm sponsor.
AEW Dynasty 2026 suffered from chaotic booking, poor pacing, and a lack of traditional wrestling structure, with key matches like Will Osprey vs. Jon Moxley failing to serve long-term storytelling.
The FTR vs. Edge & Christian match was the event’s standout but was undermined by overlong pacing and weak narrative buildup.
WWE Raw is criticized for excessive promo length, stagnant storytelling, and poor creative direction, despite strong individual performances.
WWE’s $25,000 SummerSlam Elite Package is mocked as an absurd, luxury-driven monetization strategy that prioritizes illusion over access.
Jim Cornette proposes a radical new revenue model: selling the right to book match finishes for premium prices, with fees scaling by match importance.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening Banter & Thunder Over Louisville Metaphor
Jim and Brian open with humorous banter about Jim's hearing issues and a metaphor comparing the cancellation of Thunder over Louisville to the state of the country, using the event's weather-related cancellation as a symbol of national decline. Jim critiques the absurdity of a major fireworks display being threatened by storms.
AEW Dynasty 2026: The Good, the Bad, and the Chaotic
“This match went almost 40 minutes and they kicked out of everything. Can you take a step back? Can we turn that back? Because when it's happening everywhere, it defeats the purpose.”
Sponsor Segments: Hexclad & Sundays for Dogs
“If you had MJF give Kenny that goddamn Tombstone Piledriver off the apron through the table to the floor and just let MJF roll in and say count him referee and count him out and sling sweat on him and announce that Kenny's back in a fucking hospital, people would have believed it.”
Will Osprey, Rick Rubin, and the State of Wrestling
“You can't tell an artist how to paint. Of course, unless you hire them and you hire them to do a specific thing. There you go.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Class: Controversy and Critique
Jim and Brian dissect the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, questioning the legitimacy of Sade, Billy Idol, and the Wu-Tang Clan’s inclusion, while expressing disbelief at lesser-known producers and Ed Sullivan being honored.
“You could go around the world on the nicest cruise ship in the fucking British fleet and eat and drink yourself sick into a tizzy, and still not spend $25,000.”
“If they said for $20,000, we will let you book the finish to one of the matches, maybe even $50,000.”
“If you had MJF give Kenny that goddamn Tombstone Piledriver off the apron through the table to the floor and just let MJF roll in and say count him referee and count him out and sling sweat on him and announce that Kenny's back in a fucking hospital, people would have believed it.”
Hosts
Jim Cornette
person
AEW Dynasty
other
Brian Last
person
Will Osprey
person
WWE
organization
Jon Moxley
person
Rick Rubin
person
AEW
organization
ian rotten
person
dennis corluzzo
person
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