Former WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green isn’t afraid to pitch ideas, whether they be for her on-screen character or WWE Shop merchandise. According to Green herself, though, there’s a fine line between pitching and complaining.

“I don’t ever complain about what [WWE] actually end up giving me. I pitch to have it changed,” Green told “Busted Open Radio.” “But I pitched to have it changed, most of the time, when we’re in the conception process, because once they have it [locked in], that’s the thing, then you are complaining and then it’s a lot tougher. But if you pitch from the beginning, you stick to that pitch, you stick to those ideas, or you stick to that direction, that’s not complaining. If you’re pitching to change the [match] finish, unless you’re actually pitching like it kills a couple birds with one stone, it makes sense. Then otherwise there’s just no point. You’re just being selfish. But it happens.”

During her initial WWE run, Green offered several ideas to WWE management, such as aligning her “Hot Mess” character with Alexa Bliss and Bray Wyatt. She even suggested that she be Dominik Mysterio’s on-screen girlfriend (a position later filled by Rhea Ripley, then Liv Morgan). Both, like many of Green’s pitches, were ultimately turned down. Still, that hasn’t stopped her from submitting even more in her second run, which began in 2023.

Across the last 18 months, Green has taken on a patriotic persona, with two reigns as Women’s United States Champion complementing it. Given that her Secret Hervice — Alba Fyre and Piper Niven — are currently released and injured, respectively, it’s unknown if that gimmick will continue.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

This week, the industry lost a titan in Ted Turner, who from 1988 through 2001 put his money, belief, and support into the land of professional wrestling. The former media mogul was all about changing the landscape of accessibility, by offering fans the live experience of watching professional wrestling from their television sets nationally. By putting his own money into it, WCW rose to a supremacy that at one point made former WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon blush (in his own way). Turner was all about competition, and through WCW, he and Eric Bischoff soared atop the ratings charts for 83 weeks, besting the Stamford-based promotion. That said, Bischoff thinks his former competitor should pay their respects to the former WCW owner, who inspired them to step their game up.

“I think in many respects, Vince McMahon, WWE, TKO, owes a serious debut of gratitude to Ted Turner,” the former executive producer and senior vice president of WCW said on “Busted Open Radio.” “I firmly believe if we take our emotions out of it and just analytically look at where the business was pre-‘[WCW] Nitro’ for WWE, look at WWE’s trajectory. Look at their growth or lack thereof. Look at everything that was going on in the broader entertainment industry at that time. No one’s ever going to be able to convince me that had ‘Nitro’ not gone head-to-head with ‘[WWE] Raw…’ and that was a Ted Turner decision, that wasn’t an Eric Bischoff decision. I wish I could take credit for that because it was freakin brilliant. And it changed the entire industry. It in many respects, saved the industry.”

Bischoff went on to boast (and rightfully so) how he changed the format of how pro wrestling was showcased and consumed by fans (hardcore and casual), as well as non-familiar watchers. After refusing to adapt to what Bischoff had created, McMahon eventually caved, and reinvented his company and its flagship programming to tailor off Bischoff’s. And all of this was done through the backing of Turner, who not only proved his doubters wrong, but affirmed that sometimes taking the road less traveled by makes for better headlines, so long as you have a clear vision, but most importantly, that you believe.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

While some things stay the same in pro wrestling – the compelling storylines, the spectacular ring gear, and the goal to become the next world champion – one thing has changed for the better: less substance abuse compared to years past. Former WWE star and the first-ever male winner of “Tough Enough,” Maven Huffman, sat down with Chris Van Vliet on his “Insight” podcast and spoke on the decline of substance abuse in the industry, and how relieved he is to see wrestlers and other talents have vigorous and clearheaded runs than he did.

“There used to be a substance culture in wrestling that I’m happy they’re moving away from,” the former three-time WWE Hardcore Champion said.

As someone who once struggled with substance abuse during his tenure in WWE, including steroid use, Maven realized that pressure (mentally, emotionally, and physically) can take a toll on a wrestler’s psyche and affect their overall journey and outcome. And for that, companies look at that for reasons to weed out stars who think they want to be there as opposed to those who truly want to make a go of it.

“Wrestling is tough. It’s hard to be on the road. It’s hard to be in pain. It’s hard to be away from your family. And if you don’t have…something on the inside that makes you be able to be okay with living uncomfortable, be okay with pain, you’re not going to last,” he added.

On April 2, 2012, Maven was arrested in Florida for “doctor shopping” to illegally obtain prescription painkillers. Following his arrest, he made the brave decision to accept rehabilitation help from WWE. Maven says his arrest and WWE’s offer saved his life.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Although he was once all but certain he’d be a tag team specialist for his entire career, WWE star Kit Wilson has taken on a role as a singles performer following a serious injury suffered by his Pretty Deadly partner Elton Prince. Appearing on “Busted Open Radio,” Wilson detailed his change in perspective and explained how he landed on the current version of his character.

“I could see the potential writing on the wall. As well know, it’s the WWE – anything can happen,” Wilson said. “I felt like I could just, for lack of a better term, be in catering the whole time, you know? So I realized I needed something, so I started pitching big.”

Wilson explained that he’s always been a big fan of performers like The Miz, Chris Jericho, and Shawn Michaels, who each carved out a particular lane for themselves but were able to work in a variety of different styles and situations. The WWE star tried to do something similar when coming up with character ideas, and he landed on one that caught on with the creative team.

“I pitched to be in the ‘Secret Her-vice,’ with Chelsea [Green], and that seemed like that was getting some headway,” Wilson stated. “There was some potential there. I got some gear made, but then the writers really started really liking the idea of this toxic masculinity thing, so I started talking to them more about it.”

Earlier this year, Wilson explained the core idea behind his “toxic masculinity” character, and the company began presenting it, first on “Main Event” and then on “WWE SmackDown.” Assessing the character now, Wilson believes things are clicking because he believes wholeheartedly in what he’s doing.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.