I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 272

Dinsmore is on his second go-around with the Art of Wrestling Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you're new, here's the rundown: I listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are better wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but these are the ones in my regular rotation that I feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If I can save other folks some time, I'm happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 272 (Oct. 15, 2015)
Run Time: 1:06:47
Guest: Nick Dinsmore (14:24)

Summary: For the third time, Colt Cabana welcomes Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore to the podcast. Dinsmore explains what it was like being in Ohio Valley Wrestling when WWE came in, shares his Memphis memories, talked about fans who still want to talk about his WWE runs, his first major knee injury, working with the WWE writing staff, gigs outside of wrestling and his time in India. He goes into detail about his various releases from WWE as well as his work as a trainer and the challenges trainees face. The closing moments are spent looking at Dinsmore’s new school and Midwest All Pro promotion in Sioux Falls, SD, as well as a bit about being an inspiration to fans with special needs and the origins of the Eugene character.

Quote of the week:“Professional wrestling, sports entertainment, whatever you want to call it, is an art form. And what you deem as the right way to perform this art, what I deem, what Billy Gunn deems, what, you know, Baron von Raschke deems, is all different. And the fact of the matter is, is if the fans are cheering and spending money, then it’s good. And if they’re not, then it’s not. “

Why you should listen: For someone who could have an ax to grind, Dinsmore comes off as remarkably level headed. He’s not light on WWE — his assessment that every performer is ultimately working for “an audience of one” is essential to understanding his entire approach to wrestling — but neither is he openly campaigning for another job. And for a guy making his third (second full) appearance on the show, Dinsmore definitely brought a fresh approach. The best spot probably was him explaining, from a trainer’s perspective, why it’s so difficult to be a developmental wrestler, but that doesn’t take away from the rest of the hour.

Why you should skip it: Some listeners probably expected Dinsmore to go on a bridge-burning Punk-esque anti-WWE rant, and although Cabana softened those expectations in the open, undoubtedly people will complain Dinsmore repressed his true feelings. I was least interested in the promotional pitch at the end, but it wasn’t out of place.

Final thoughts: I dug it. You probably will, too. Dinsmore’s a neat dude and I wa surprised how much I enjoyed his insight and stories and how little I cared I’d already heard him on the show. Good way to spend an hour.