Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Monday, September 25, 2006 at 4:24 AM EST

The following was transcribed by Andy J. of wrestlingweekly.com:

On September 19th, Wrestling Weekly hosts Doc Young and Les Thatcher were joined by the author of 'World Wrestling Insanity', James Guttman and former member of the New World Order, two time New Japan Pro-Wrestling IWGP Heavyweight Champion and two time IWGP Tag Team Champion, Scott Norton. Wrestling Weekly airs every Tuesday at 8pm Eastern at www.wrestlingweekly.com.

James Guttman is the first featured guest. Les jokes by asking how James can tie the word 'insanity' in with professional wrestling. He replies by saying you wouldn't think the words would go together. Les mentions the crossover mainstream appeal of Stacy Keibler, Chris Jericho and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson who he states were good PR for the wrestling business. Les continues by saying if one or all three enticed non-fans to tune into wrestling it's unlikely the wrestling itself couldn't live up to the hype as Stacy, The Rock and Chris Jericho come across as articulate, professional and very classy. James Guttman, in response, states that the perception newer fans would have is sad and when wrestling is popular that he has to show his friends what happens. Now when he watches it he thinks to himself that he hopes no one is watching it.

Les responds to what James said by mentioning he was asked about Vince McMahon and how he could respond to the segment which Mr McMahon was involved in. Doc makes a good point, saying that fans have to explain pro-wrestling to people who aren't fans. Les say's he has had to defend wrestling too, more often than he cares to remember. Les then asks about James Guttman's book, 'World Wrestling Insanity'. James says the idea behind it were stories, behind the walls of WWE, which you would find out if you were an employee working there. There's a list of words announcers cannot say on the air, about the newsletters sent to the office and a behind the scenes story of what the production people are told before the first ECW One Night Stand. An interesting fact which Guttman mentions is that Vince McMahon wanted the DVD out before the Shane Douglas promoted show, 'Hardcore Homecoming'. He continues by saying that to explain things he had to use, in his words, ridiculous examples to show how silly wrestling can get. This, James says is, when the humor ties in with what is written within the book.

James Guttman says WWE fans and those who read the internet will learn something from the book and says non-fans will get a taste of what wrestling fans have been living with for the past ten years or so. Les talks about the words which can't be said which are 'wrestling', 'strap' (in reference to the Championship Belts). James mentions two lines which announcers say to get characters over. Both of the lines he states, are one's Michael Cole has repeated verbatim. One is about Undertaker, saying he is resilient and won't be stopped at any cost and says whatever announces are told, they go with. Les replies saying there are brilliant minds which have to go along with the corporate line. He mentions Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, Ted Dibiase, Tim Horner and Steve Keirn, saying there could be ten million finishes but everyone is now a 'run-in', outside interference. Les says there is no real attempt to win new fans.

James says WWE could be stuck in a 'time bubble' and promoting in a way, which is very late 90's by trying to shock fans, like they did back in the Jerry Springer era. Guttman continues by stating that people now watch shows like 24 which have real type stories and real character development,whilst in contrast, WWE put on a South Park style show. He states that it doesn't draw in any new fans and embarrasses those who watch.

Les then talks about logic in regards to The Undertaker. The topic of T&A is then briefly discussed. Les then talks about the top dramas on television today and that's still the same basic drama but it still works. He relates this analogy to pro-wrestling today. Doc asks James Guttman about his experiences writing the book and talking to stars who agreed with what he included in his book. James states he used 11 guys who have been involved in pro-wrestling for different time periods. He mentions Charlie Haas, Terry Funk, Missy Hyatt and Amy Weber, stating he wanted a broad spectrum of people. Kamala and D'lo Brown are also in the book and Guttman states he wants to tell his story and his perspective on things and put there quotes throughout. They agree and disagree with him in the book which James highlights gives a good perspective. He states he isn't into gossip but what the wrestlers think of the industry itself and analyzing how the industry works. There are quotes on what works, what people like and what they think of the business and how it's going.

Doc asks about the feedback/backlash about the book. James Guttman explains that he has heard nothing bad or negative said about the book, saying overall it has been positive. James states when he writes about wrestling there is a level of respect there and respect the positive things about the business. He then talks about how he has given a lot of praise to WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon and there is quote from Aaron Aguileria, talking about what a great boss he believed Vince was. Triple H is also mentioned, saying he has earned his spot in WWE. James says he doesn't say negative things for the sake of negativity. Les and James then briefly discuss the problems in pro-wrestling and Guttman talks about Vince, saying WWE isn't likely to go out of business and they are content with that fact. He then follows on from a point which Les makes saying that Benoit, Michaels and Triple H can go in the ring but there is no reason for them to do so. James highlights that WWE putting on good TV and creative storylines is a waste as it doesn't mean anything to them. Les makes a good point saying if they are the only game in town they can put on shows as good or as bad as they want.

Both Les and James agree, that as this point, TNA isn't competition to WWE. James Guttman continues by saying WWE is the only show in town and is the number one promotion and there is one other option for wrestlers or work in another country. Les talks about the Hermie Sadler promotion, which is another outlet for TNA wrestlers to earn an extra paycheck and he has heard that Sadler is shutting down at the end of the year. Guttman says that the business isn't generating the money and wants WWE to have the best product possible. He says WWE is the PR to the outside world and shows which embarrass fans aren't one's which will attract new viewers. Les talks about Dr Tom Pritchard and an independent company in Denver which is seen as an alternative to World Wrestling Entertainment.

James continues with what Les discusses by saying the independents are putting on a more serious product to bring in fans. Doc then says to check out James Guttman's book which is, 'World Wrestling Insanity' which is all about WWE and Vince McMahon and JG's Wrestling Insanity. James then talks about his two websites, www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com and www.clubwwi.com.

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The second featured guest is Scott Norton. Les asks Scott about his arm wrestling and Norton says he has won World Championship tournaments with both his right and left arms. Scott Norton starting arm wrestling in the 1980's and went over to Japan where he was approached and offered a training contract by New Japan and then trained at Brad Rhegians training camp. Les states that Norton was the third American to win the IWGP Championship after Hulk Hogan and Vader. Doc asks Scott what the Japanese call American wrestlers, Norton responds by saying Gaijin (which means foreigner). He then asks another question about arm wrestling and Scott discusses having to use his left arm after his right was injured. Doc asks if Scott Norton has broken anyone's arm like in the movie 'Over The Top' in an arm wrestling competition, Scott responds that he has.

Norton describes what occurs in this incident and says it wasn't a good experience, but it happens. Les then asks about the 'Monday Night Wars' and the New World Order. Norton states that every Monday night the nWo were hot and was so popular, biggest heels on the planet and continues by saying it was a good time to be involved in wrestling at this time. When the nWo went to Japan, it went completely wild and concludes saying it was great to be apart of. Les comments on the wrestling fans in Japan and it's popularity over there. Scott Norton then states he met a fan with tattoo's of their favorite wrestlers on his shoulder. Norton says the Japanese are the greatest fans and Japan is a great place to work.

Doc discusses the nWo again, saying no one could ever defeat them and it went down hill. Scott agrees to a certain extent but says this occurs in the wrestling industry. He highlights when they had nWo Hollywood and nWo. Wolfpac hurt the group. He talks about the Four Horsemen and relates this to the topic of the New World Order. Les states having too many guys could have be detrimental to the eventual decline of the nWo and also relates to the Horsemen saying although there was around 20 guys in total who were part of the group, there was around only 4 to 5 at one time. Scott agrees and makes a point about the nWo being strong and drawing huge money not just for WCW, but for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the whole industry in general too. Scott Norton says being in the New World Order was the best time.

WhoBetta in the chat room asks about the tag team Fire & Ice and how he liked the feud with Ernest Miller. Norton says that Ernest was a perfect fit for him. Teaming with Ice Train was a struggle he said and didn't complement each other as much as they could. Ice's character was more about showboating was Scott states his was more serious in the ring. He says he and Buff were ten times better.

Les agrees with Norton that him and Buff Bagwell blended together better because of their two styles. Les brings up that Scott Norton is working with a new promotion called WAE Wrestling out in Arizona. They have a new arena with 500 seats which is sold out and has a strong, stacked card with talent from top to bottom. He then talks about the wrestlers on the card which include former WWE Superstar Romeo Roselli. Les makes a point that the wrestlers are not just local talent from the west coast. Scott responds by saying that he has brought in Romeo from New York and Heidenreich, A-Train, Horshu and Ryan Sakoda, who have been brought in. Doc asks about the website for the promotion, which is www.waewrestling.com.

Scott Norton states he wants WAE to be big group on the West Coast. With his line up and names there's no reason he couldn't take it a long, long way Scott says. Norton continues there are major players involved, they have television and financial backers. Scott continues states he has taken a year off from Japan to focus on his new venture. Doc wishes Scott luck and states that the website for Wrestling Alliance Entertainment is www.waewrestling.com Scott says that this is great for him as it brings back good memories and states that Doc and Les have a great show and they are supportive of them. Both Doc and Les then thank Scott Norton.

Next weeks featured guest will be the 'King of Old School', Steve Corino. For more future guest information, visit www.myspace.com/docyoung (the official Myspace site of 'Wrestling Weekly')

Wrestling Weekly is a part of the Wrestling Radio Network at www.wrestlingradionetwork.com and replays can also be heard at www.audiowrestling.com. The Wrestling Weekly radio program featuring Doc Young and Les Thatcher can be heard every Tuesday from 8:00-10:00pm EST at www.wrestlingweekly.com.