Show: Wrestling Epicenter
Guest: Dom Vitalli
Date: 04/08/2026
Your Host: James Walsh”I’m a firm believer in taking 24 hours to bask in the glory of any successes. But, after that, it is back to work and on to the next show! We were very happy with Anniversary 7 and getting jut about 2,000 people in there. But, we try to keep a level head about it. Now we’re here in the month of April and we’re already gearing up for this September and Anniversary 8, baby!””Apparently I know what I’m talking about! (laughs) Jimmy is an anomaly, man. He’s one of those guys who is too nice for wrestling. But, that is a good quality to have. He’s genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve met inside wrestling and outside of it. It is great to see the success, so far, of someone who is genuinely so kind That WWE tryout, we did a lot of training to get him prepared. He’s in Austin, Texas now so our in-ring time is a little limited. He’s been working with Dustin Rhodes at the Rhoades Wrestling Academy and at the Reality of Wrestling school in Houston, Booker T’s school. We met remotely several times a week leading in to that tryout preparing him mentally and emotionally. I talked to him during the time he was there at the tryout and he’ll tell you, he was never more prepared for anything in his life than he was for that tryout. It is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He knew what he wanted and he did everything possible to go and get it. Now, he did get a WWE ID contract. He did not get a regular WWE contract yet, I stress not yet, but he did get the sort of consolation prize that is the WWE ID contract, a great consolation prize! But, he’s got to be special because they brought him in to EVOLVE right away.””Well, that’s a loaded question. I’m not going to bullshit you, James. You know I don’t do that. There’s good and things about it. The good are that you get your foot in the door, you get to be at the WWE Performance Center and pick the brains of some of the best to ever do it – Far better than me! FAR better than me, brother! We tell our students, “Get your foot in the door here. But, lets get you some place bigger!” Also, a lot of it is up to the talent that has that contract in their hand. Without getting into the logistics of it, a lot of it just depends on the athlete. I think a lot behind the WWE ID contract is to sort of thin the herd. See who can handle the grind! Wrestling, even at the independent level, is a complete mind f***! And, in the WWE, it is a gang bang! (laughs) I like the fact that it tests the talent both physically and emotionally. But, at the same time, I don’t want the talent to only shoot for that. Like I said, it is a consolation prize. I want them to strive to make it to the main WWE roster or sign with AEW or make a living working overseas. Or, in 2026, man, you can make a full time living working strictly on the indies! If that is what you want to do, that’s awesome! I don’t want to discredit the WWE ID program. That is a privilege just to walk through those doors and be welcomed!””First of all, “skinny fat” is just a nice way of saying out of shape. I can say that because I used to call myself “skinny fat” back in my early, early days. No, I was just a skinny kid who didn’t hit the gym enough. I have found in my time that a lot of young wrestlers stop listening when you tell them what they’re doing wrong and they miss the part after that when you tell them how to do it right. You might or might not be surprised, James, how many inquiries we get at the school from people who have never been to the gym in their life, have never played a sport, and have never been active… Or, they think going to their apartment gym two or three times a week is going to get them in the kind of shape that they need to be in to compete with Olympic level athletes that you will find at the WWE Performance Center. A part of it is the fear of going to the gym as the guy who isn’t in shape and worrying what the others seeing you are thinking about you when in reality, they probably aren’t even aware that you’re f***ing there. That is a good module for actually performing because when you wrestle, you will have people looking at you and judging you on many things including your body, more than likely. I’ll give you the best example that I can. Alexander Hammerstone is a guy who got a lot of opportunities, more than anybody before from this area, based upon what he looked like. He was in amazing shape. He’s still in amazing shape now years later but back then, he was in better shape than anybody. Aesthetics, what you look like and your phsique will get you in the door. Your work will keep you in the room. That part is lost on some. “Well, I can wrestle as good as Bryan Danielson!” If you can do that, awesome! But, that alone will not get you to certain places. You have to look the part, you have to stand out, you have to be marketable. A huge piece of that is taking your physique seriously.””It is evolution! In order to make it to the land of the giants, you have to resemble the giants! He did that. And, in a lot of ways, bodies that were expected back then set the table for the business as it is today. If you look at the current WWE roster, who is on top right now, you’ll see that there are only one or two guys that you would look at and say they’re not “in shape.” That is an anamoly that a lot of young wrestlers overlook. I’m not knocking him whatsoever. But, they look at a guy like Kevin Owens and say, “See, he’s not in great shape. I can do this!” Yeah, but Kevin Owens is one in a million, man!””Great question, James! I give everybody a chance. As long as they exemplify the qualities that we value most here. A lot of times I can tell just by sitting down and talking to the talent that come and interview with me. I often say, “I appreciate your love for wrestling. But, I would be taking your money if I allowed you to tryout.” Sometimes it is a personality issue. Sometimes it is a physique issue. Our tryout isn’t a lot. We’re not suplexing or bodyslamming people around. It is just an intense cross-fit exercise. But, I would be doing nothing for them if I took money from people I knew couldn’t do it. I’ve seen people do that in the past. It is a shitty way to do business. And, it has done nothing good for anybody in the end.””Well, James, you’re an old school guy, right? (laughs) Well, back in our day, brother! (laughs) No, back then, they used to work 300 days a year. Now, maybe there’s 150 dates? So, maybe they are taking more risks because they don’t have the thought of, “f***, I’ve got to get ready to make these next 4 dates!” So, maybe they worked smarter. And, again, this is all just my opinion. But, also, when you’re young, you think you’re invincible! I’m guilty as charged of that one, dude! (laughs) I was like, “The old guys, they tell me I shouldn’t do flips and dives. They just say that because they can’t do it!” Well, now I sit here at 44 and I’ve not had a real match in almost 2 years. It is compound interest. You’re not going to feel it at 22, 23, 24, or 25. But, as the years tick on, those bumps will catch up to you. What is the old saying? Father Time does no jobs!””As you said, it was on a show that wasn’t really going to matter and a match nobody was really going to remember. I’m not going to bash AEW. I know a lot of coaches there and they do their darndest to get through to some. But, there is a sense of entitlement. “You’re not going to f***ing tell me what I should do. I’ll do what gets a reaction!” Well, yeah, it gets a reaction but it is a reaction that nobody is going to remember in 30 minutes. I learned pretty early in my career to work smarter… Not to be lazy! But, know when the time is right to take certain risks. I’ve taken a lot of risks in my time.””Probably what I’m doing now! (laughs) No, the worst injury that I suffered was when I did a middle rope moonsault and I dislocated my kneecap. That was a little gnarly. I’ve had nothing major, no major surgeries but procedures on my neck, my knees, my back, my shoulders… Nothing major or anything that took me out of action. And now I’m dealing with a labrum issue and I have no idea how it happened. They told me it is a compound injury from 20 years of wrestling.””I never wanted to do the retirement tour thing. I am not taking shots and I have the utmost respect for guys like the Navajo Warrior who did do that… And, of course for guys like AJ Styles and John Cena who certainly deserved it. All of them did. But, my mindset really changed when we started getting deeper in the Training Center and PCW really started taking off. I wanted PCW to be the place where we could showcase the next generation. Now, when we started, we didn’t have a full roster of training guys to showcase so I would put myself on the card. I had a little bit of recognition locally. So, we used that. But, it was always in the back of my mind, “I’ve got to pull myself off the card.” I felt like I was taking a spot from one of the young guys who could be featured where I was. Now, when we went into the match with Devin Reno at Anniversary 6, I wasn’t like, “All right, man. This is it.” I wasn’t even really supposed to be in that match. I was in that match due to an injury. Jimmy House was supposed to be in that match but he got injured. So, we looked at every option to fill his spot and decided I was the only one that made sense to have that match because of my relationship with Jimmy and with Devin. Well, when that match came up, I wasn’t like, “All right. Where are we going to go from here with me?” I was more like, “Ok, I’m going to do September… And I’m good!”””He’s right. It boggles my mind sometimes that some of the guys come in having played the video games and have very little or no understanding of the history of pro wrestling. I mean, I get that we’re both a little bit older now. But, when you talk to these guys and the earliest memory of wrestling is something that Jeff Hardy did, I’m like, “Give me a f***ing break, man!” (laughs) I mean no disrespect to Jeff Hardy and I’m not taking anything away from him. But, there’s just so much history! And, it is like pulling teeth to tell them, “Don’t watch anything from 2005 on.” There’s so much you can watch, so much information you can learn from! And, yes, the video games are awesome. But, chances are you can’t do what they are doing in the video game and I know you can’t do it as often!””ODB will be here but she isn’t just doing an autograph signing before the show, which she is, but she’s also going to be in action! She will be facing Zamaya! I’m looking forward to this match because we struggle to find people physical enough to go toe to toe with Zamaya and I think ODB is going to be a great match for her. ODB is one of the toughest, I was going to say women but she’s one of the toughest wrestlers ever to do this. So, that will be a good one. Also, Kevin Koa will be defending the PCW Heavyweight Title against Jimmy House in a rematch from Anniversary 7. Jimmy came up a little short. He didn’t prepare for some outside interference. We’ll see if he’s up to the challenge this time!””Freddy Cordova. Freddy is a guy who is a little small in stature but can do anything that you ask him to and do it at an extremely high level. Freddy impressed me because he would drive up frm Tucson, 2 hours away, for training. And, what made my heart sing is he’s a legitimate student of the game. He knows all of the old school guys and he’s studied it all. For my money, that plays a big part in why he’s so good at everything he does. Another guy is Tommy Two Scoops. He has an incredible connection with the PCW crowd but not just the PCW crowd, whever he goes. He knows how to be memorable! And, one more, nto that there’s not a lot of guys I could talk about because there is, but for the interest of time, Young Money. They are the most impressive tag team I’ve seen anywhere in a long, long time.”

Consistency continues to define WWE RAW’s performance on Netflix as the company moves closer to WrestleMania 42.

The April 6, 2026 episode of RAW generated 2.9 million global views along with 5.5 million global hours viewed. These figures closely match the previous week’s numbers and align with the show’s performance over the past two months, where it has averaged around 2.91 million views and 5.42 million hours watched.

The runtime for the episode was listed at 1 hour and 46 minutes, nearly identical to the prior week’s 1 hour and 47 minutes. The steady runtime reflects a consistent format, which has coincided with stable audience engagement.

In terms of rankings, RAW finished sixth in Netflix’s global top ten for the week. The show also performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in 17 countries. In the United States, it climbed as high as fourth place, showing strong domestic interest.

The episode continued to build toward WrestleMania 42, featuring key storylines and appearances from top talent. This ongoing momentum appears to be maintaining viewer attention, even without significant fluctuations in the numbers.

Despite RAW’s steady performance, it faced strong competition from other content on Netflix. The top-performing show globally for the week was “Trust Me The False Prophet” season one, which brought in 9.8 million views and 32.1 million hours watched.

While RAW did not challenge for the top spot, its consistent placement within the top ten highlights its reliability as a weekly program on the platform.

With WrestleMania 42 approaching, WWE will likely aim to build on this stability. Although there has not been a major increase in viewership, the steady numbers indicate a loyal global audience that continues to follow the product week after week.

Most Viewed WWE RAW (4/6) Videos on YouTube

• FULL SEGMENT: CM Punk drops a stunning PIPE BOMB on Roman Reigns (1.7 million views)
• Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi get into huge brawl in front of Triple H (1.5 million views)
• EXCLUSIVE: Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar continue to brawl (912K views)
• Seth Rollins vows to Stomp Gunther at WrestleMania (751K views)
• Adam Pearce announces WrestleMania match for IShowSpeed (524K views)

WWE RAW Holds Steady on Netflix With 2.9 Million Views on April 6

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Swerve Strickland has been absent from AEW programming in recent weeks, and a new report has clarified the reason behind his time away.

According to Fightful Select, Strickland recently filmed promotional content for Warner Bros. Discovery. While the exact details of the project have not been disclosed, the work explains why he has not appeared on AEW television and why he was not part of the AEW Dynasty event on April 12 in Vancouver.

Strickland’s last appearance came in late March on Dynamite, where he faced Kenny Omega in a high-stakes match. The bout had major implications, as Omega’s EVP status was tied to the outcome. With the win, Omega secured a shot at the AEW World Championship against MJF at Dynasty.

Omega went on to challenge for the title in the main event of Dynasty but was unsuccessful, as MJF retained the championship. Meanwhile, Strickland was not scheduled for the show. Fightful noted that he attended a signing on the same day as the pay-per-view rather than appearing at the event.

The connection to Warner Bros. Discovery is significant, as AEW’s weekly programming airs on networks under that umbrella, including TBS and TNT. Strickland’s involvement in promotional work tied to the company suggests his absence was planned rather than related to injury or creative changes.

Over the past two years, Strickland has remained a key figure in AEW. He held the AEW World Championship in 2024 before eventually losing it to MJF, solidifying his position near the top of the roster.

At this time, there is no confirmed timeline for Strickland’s return to AEW television. Additional details about the promotional project he filmed have also not been revealed.

Backstage News on Swerve Strickland’s AEW Absence

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Boxing champion Alycia Baumgardner has revealed that discussions with WWE are currently taking place, as she continues to explore opportunities beyond the boxing ring.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Baumgardner was asked about the possibility of getting involved with WWE. She confirmed that both sides have already opened communication and are actively talking.

“Oh, listen, it’s in the works. Conversations are being had — as we speak,” Baumgardner said. “Again, I don’t turn no deal down if it makes sense. And when we talk about building a brand, we talk about bigger and better. I’m not just a fighter, I’m not just a boxer. I think that’s why they [haters] mad, because they’ve got to box. I don’t have to box. I love to box. I choose to box. And, yeah, we’re building something big. We’re building a brand that is made to last.”

Baumgardner also spoke about her long-time interest in WWE, noting that she was a fan growing up. She shared a story about trying to recreate WWE-style entrances at home.

“I was a big fan growing up,” she said, recalling how she once lit fireworks in her room while imitating entrance pyro.

She named Trish Stratus and John Cena as some of her favorite performers from that time.

Baumgardner added that she has a personal connection within WWE, as she is friends with Jade Cargill. She praised Cargill for how she represents Black women in the company.

At this stage, Baumgardner has not begun any wrestling training. She explained that her focus remains on her current fight camp, as she prepares to face Bo Mi Re Shin in New York City this Friday night.

She also revealed that she invited Cargill to attend the fight, but Cargill will not be able to make it due to her WrestleMania commitments.

While nothing has been finalized, Baumgardner’s comments confirm that discussions with WWE are ongoing as she continues to build her career.

Boxing Star Alycia Baumgardner Confirms WWE Talks

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WWE has confirmed that Michael Cole and The Miz will serve as hosts for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, set to take place during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.

The ceremony is scheduled for Friday night at Dolby Live at Park MGM, traditionally held on the eve of WrestleMania. Fans in the United States will be able to watch the event live on the ESPN app, while international viewers can stream it on YouTube. The show is set to begin at midnight Eastern Time (9 p.m. Pacific).

This year’s Hall of Fame class features several notable names. Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Demolition, Sid Vicious, Bad News Brown, and Dennis Rodman are all set to be inducted.

WWE will also present the Immortal Moment Award, recognizing one of the most iconic matches in company history. This year, the honor goes to Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III. The award was introduced in 2025 to celebrate historic moments that helped define WWE’s legacy.

While The Miz is not scheduled to compete at WrestleMania 42, he has remained active during the week by promoting the event across various platforms. He recently appeared on American Idol as part of that effort.

In addition to his WWE commitments, The Miz will also have a major television debut on the same day as the Hall of Fame ceremony. His revival of American Gladiators is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video this Friday.

With Cole and Miz leading the ceremony, WWE is set to spotlight both current stars and legendary figures as part of WrestleMania 42 weekend.

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