Episode 440: Jim Reviews WrestleMania 42

Jim Cornette delivers a blistering four-part critique of WrestleMania 42, painting a grim picture of WWE’s current trajectory. In the first segment, he lambasts the event’s bloated production, excessive commercialization, and declining match quality, highlighting underwhelming bouts like the Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre non-sanctioned match and the chaotic, nonsensical main event between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, which was derailed by Pat McAfee’s interference. He laments the shift from wrestling’s golden era to today’s paywalled, ad-heavy streaming model, arguing that WWE prioritizes corporate profits over fan experience. The second part continues the critique, praising only the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns main event as a rare high point, while condemning the McAfee referee farce, Oba Femi’s minimalistic entrance, and WWE’s increasing corporate control—evidenced by TKO President Mark Shapiro’s admission of full creative authority. Cornette expresses deep concern over the commodification of wrestling and the erosion of authenticity. In the final two segments, he explores the emotional weight of Brock Lesnar’s subdued farewell, speculating that Lesnar may have quietly retired without an official announcement, with Paul Heyman’s genuine surprise adding credibility to the moment. He also criticizes the rushed and underdeveloped Jacob Fatu storyline, arguing that his potential as a disruptive outsider within the Bloodline was wasted on a lazy, vague tease rather than a meaningful, multi-week character arc. The episode closes with Cornette promoting his collectibles and media platforms, while hinting at a temporary pause in the Drive-Thru to manage business demands.