5 Must-See Post-WWE Shoot Interviews

These days, it's as inevitable as sunrise - a talent leaves WWE (under perhaps unpleasant circumstances), and before long, they tell all in a subsequent shoot interview, causing the internet wrestling scene to light up like a Christmas tree. The proliferation of podcasts has made it easier for disgruntled wrestlers to air their grievances the minute their contractual tether with WWE gets severed, and there's a sizable market that awaits their unfiltered stories.

Some subjects can be highly diplomatic in their approach to the interview, not wanting to burn a bridge with WWE, in case their other career prospects run dry one day. But others, they're more than happy to go all scorched earth on the Federation, with some making rather damning claims about their behind-the-scenes experiences. Tales that could fill out a compelling book are instead rattled off in an easy-to-reach podcast on your iPhone. The times we live in.

When it comes to opening up about the less-than-flattering side of WWE, these five shoot interviews have proven to be highly memorable.

These days, it's as inevitable as sunrise - a talent leaves WWE (under perhaps unpleasant circumstances), and before long, they tell all in a subsequent shoot interview, causing the internet wrestling scene to light up like a Christmas tree. The proliferation of podcasts has made it easier for disgruntled wrestlers to air their grievances the minute their contractual tether with WWE gets severed, and there's a sizable market that awaits their unfiltered stories.

Some subjects can be highly diplomatic in their approach to the interview, not wanting to burn a bridge with WWE, in case their other career prospects run dry one day. But others, they're more than happy to go all scorched earth on the Federation, with some making rather damning claims about their behind-the-scenes experiences. Tales that could fill out a compelling book are instead rattled off in an easy-to-reach podcast on your iPhone. The times we live in.

When it comes to opening up about the less-than-flattering side of WWE, these five shoot interviews have proven to be highly memorable.

5. Luke Gallows And Karl Anderson (2020)

The Good Brothers made for good copy when the pair spilled their guts on their Talk'N Shop program. Once their WWE non-competes expired, the two were free to air their issues about the promotion that released them just 11 days after their Boneyard Match appearance.

In the two-hour chat, topics included the much-discussed Crown Jewel 2019 layover, and spurning AEW after WWE offered them five-year deals (which they were released less than a year into). The most venom was reserved for Paul Heyman and his apparent problem with honesty.

4. Paul London And Brian Kendrick (2010)

Surreal doesn't begin to cover this oft-hilarious tandem interview from London and Kendrick, done roughly a year after London's WWE release, and maybe six months out from Kendrick's exit. The two freely "indulge" throughout the video, so you know there's no semblance of a filter.

The two openly discussed the politics of WWE (of which London had LOTS of things to say about Triple H), buried some guys for being lousy to work with, and told some rather incredible road stories. The interview goes off the rails many times, but that's the charm of it.

3. The New Age Outlaws (2005)

Time clearly heals all wounds, because both men ended up back with WWE within a decade, and Road Dogg still works there to this day. But when both men were with TNA 15 years ago, they had a lot to say about WWE, in particular about former DX stablemate Triple H and his McMahon connections.

Portions of the interview haven't so aged well because of their later careers (Dogg said he'd rather work as a Wal-Mart greeter than return to WWE), but with free rein to air grievances, Dogg and Billy Gunn gave their state of the company - some good, and a whole lot not so good.

2. Jon Moxley (2019)

Dean Ambrose's WWE discontent (and expiring contract) coincided with the rise of All Elite Wrestling, and it was Jon Moxley who capped off last year's Double or Nothing with a paradigm-shifting debut. Days later, many of his hard feelings toward WWE became public.

Chris Jericho gave his new AEW co-worker the forum to wax acidic on WWE creative, in particular Vince McMahon's apparent insistence on giving Ambrose some rather questionable, uncool direction. The phrase, "Such good s**t" (said ironically) entered the lexicon thereafter.

1. CM Punk (2014)

Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast found many an ear, including that of WWE doctor Chris Amann, for whom much of Punk's verbal bile was directed. Ten months after walking out of WWE, Punk bared his soul, discussing creative frustrations, as well as apparent negligence.

Punk recalled the ups and downs of his WWE tenure, with extra emphasis on the waning months, before finally having enough. The revelation that Punk may have worked with a life-threatening (and apparently untreated) staph infection over the final months was rather astonishing.