On the latest episode of WWE Network’s ‘Bring It To The Table’, Corey Graves, JBL and Pete Rosenberg got into the “dive” debate. The topic has been talked about a lot after Randy Orton’s comments about independent wrestling.
Please subscribe to my WWE Youtube channel to support me.
On the show, Graves was debating with JBL about how the wrestling business has changed. They specifically mention a 1963 match between Buddy Rogers and Pat O’Connor. JBL loved it, but Graves thought it was boring.
Here was Graves’ take on the wrestling business evolving:
“I understand the contribution these guys made, but just like in any form of entertainment, things evolve. The audience’s attention span has changed. You need to do more high impact things. Do I think you need 30 dives and 30 superkicks a match? Absolutely not. But for everyone to be kind of dismissive of guys who work that high-flying style, that are the daredevils, the cruiserweights… I think 205 Live would be the best show on television if all these guys got to do what they are able to do all the time. It’s not a matter of not being able to work. Maybe sometimes guys don’t have the great physiques, or they’re undersized. But you want to get the world talking about what you’re doing”
Graves also name-dropped Will Ospreay and Ricochet:
“Last year sometime, there was a couple of guys named Will Ospreay and Ricochet who over in Japan had this match and it set the internet on fire, and you had a very similar discussion. A lot of the “old-timers” saying this isn’t wrestling, this sucks, this isn’t whatever whatever. The fact is, those guys want to get noticed. They want to get their name out on a grand stage. And it worked. Do I think that match would work in WWE? Not necessarily. But those are two incredibly talented guys who deserve to be recognized for what they can do. And I think the business is evolving, it’s changing. John Cena goes to the top rope. Does he have to dive? No. But guess who does? Roman Reigns dives from time to time. I’ve seen Undertaker do it. That doesn’t mean they can’t work. They’re the greatest of all-time. It’s a situational thing”
[irp posts=”26221″ name=”Update On The Kurt Angle – Corey Graves Storyline”]
You can check out the full episode of ‘Bring it to the Table’ on the WWE Network now. h/t to Cageside Seats for the transcript.
Let us know what you think in the comment section below. Do you agree or disagree with Graves.