WWE Radio isn’t what has Vince Russo worried. According to Russo, the real damage was done long before SiriusXM ever replaced Pro Wrestling Nation with a WWE-branded station. In his eyes, wrestling media had already become too dependent on promotions for access, interviews and relationships. WWE Radio didn’t create that problem—it simply made it impossible to ignore.
Speaking on Coach and Bro, Russo argued that many outlets were already pulling their punches because they couldn’t afford to lose access to the companies they cover.
“If we are going to be honest here, they were compromised before this even happened… They need access. They need the guests. They want to be on those calls before pay-per-views. They want to be in the loop. So the fact of the matter is they were compromised anyway to begin with.”
Jonathan Coachman didn’t challenge the point. He embraced it. Coachman said WWE Radio actually clears up any debate because fans now know exactly where the platform stands. In his opinion, once a wrestling company officially owns the platform covering it, complete editorial independence becomes almost impossible.
“100% compromise. This is why I think it’s a good thing because now we know… you’re under the WWE umbrella now. Now we know you’re going to be compromised.”
That doesn’t mean Coachman blames the people behind the microphones. One of the biggest talking points surrounding WWE Radio has been Dave LaGreca’s decision to stay with the station, but Coachman said he completely understands why. After spending nearly twenty years building Busted Open into one of wrestling’s biggest radio shows, walking away isn’t nearly as simple as critics make it sound. Coachman also isn’t blaming SiriusXM.
“If we can get in bed with the WWE and partner with the WWE, that’s how we’re going to make the most amount of money… You can’t blame them. If you’re in the wrestling business, the most money you’re going to make is when you’re tied to the WWE. Period.”
That’s where Coachman believes things get uncomfortable. He questioned how easy it is to criticize WWE when the company also sits above your logo, pointing to the previous night’s Raw as the kind of show that puts hosts in an awkward position.
“When you have a segment like last night and you’re on WWE Radio, it’s very hard to say, ‘Well, they shouldn’t do that.’… If you’re on a network that has the letters up there, are you going to be able to feel comfortable enough to have a really honest conversation? That’s what I worry.”
Russo believes that’s exactly where wrestling media is heading. His issue isn’t that WWE launched a radio station. His issue is that every time a promotion buys another platform, fans lose another independent voice willing to praise the good and bury the bad without worrying about who’s watching.
“Where’s the genuine criticism going to come from if major companies like WWE are going to buy up their criticism and buy up their critics?… We don’t want anything to be sugar-coated. We don’t want fake positivity.”
Those comments come just days after WWE officially launched WWE Radio on SiriusXM, replacing Pro Wrestling Nation as part of the company’s expanding media strategy, which effectively removed AEW talent from Busted Open Radio. At nearly the same time, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed an AEW podcast network is still in development, so both major promotions are continuing to build media platforms beyond television.
Russo doesn’t think that’s the real story, though. For him, WWE Radio wasn’t the beginning of wrestling media becoming compromised. It was simply the moment everyone could finally see it.
Do you agree with Vince Russo, or do you think wrestling media can still remain independent while partnering with WWE? Let us know in the comments below.
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