RealSport recently got the opportunity to speak with the self-proclaimed “greatest play-by-play in the world” Josh Mathews. While most fans will recognize him from his time in WWE or his beginnings in Tough Enough, Mathews has been working with Impact Wrestling for about three years now. While things have settled down since then, Mathews spoke on the chaos of getting started in Impact Wrestling, then known as TNA.
On getting started with TNA & the current state of Impact Wrestling
When asked about working with Dixie Carter, Mathews had plenty of praise for the former President of Impact Wrestling.
As has been widely reported, Impact Wrestling is now under the leadership of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. When we previously interviewed Impact Wrestling’s Eddie Edwards, he spoke highly of the commitment from all sides of the company to improving Impact Wrestling. Mathews had the following to say about the transition to working under Anthem.
While the switch to Anthem was crucial, there have also been arrivals of legends in the industry of pro-wrestling to help run Impact Wrestling. Jeff Jarrett is the obvious one, as he has returned to help lead the company he once founded. Dutch Mantell, known to some WWE fans as Zeb Coulter, has also come in and taken on a crucial role with the company. Third, many fans have probably noticed the presence of Bruce Prichard on-screen with Impact Wrestling. Josh spoke on his roles in Impact as well as getting to work with them.
On the specific note of handling Impact Wrestling’s social media presence, Josh said the role is “fun, overwhelming, and [he always feels] like [he’s] not doing enough.”He went on to talk about how social media has helped exposure to increase visibility for the company, but also the downfalls of having things so open to the public.
As far as exposure goes, Josh also spoke about the recently releasedTotal Access TNA App available in the UK and Ireland and how much of a difference it’s made on their presence there.
Josh also commented on whether or not Impact Wrestling will be looking at released a United States-based counterpart for the Total Access app.
On Twitter trolls & being the #GOAT
Back on the topic of social media, some fans probably know Josh Mathews for his ruthlessness on Twitter. If you decide to senselessly bash him on Twitter, there’s a pretty solid chance he’s gonna put you on blast for it. I was able to ask him what his favorite thing about trolling people on Twitter is, and Josh had this to say: “I think just the reaction that it generates and the pure hate from people. I get a kick out of that.” He also commented on one of the dumbest things he’s been told on Twitter. “Failed career is one of my favorites. When people say I had a failed career - yeah, okay.”
That sort of anger and opinion is sort of par for the course when it comes to many wrestling fans on social media, but it’s hard to work out the logic where someone who worked with WWE for over a decade had a “failed career.” While debates on the best commentators today are constant, and names from the past and present such as Jim Ross, Corey Graves, Gorilla Monsoon, or even Mauro Ranallo get tossed around, Josh himself has insisted he is the best. Josh spoke about his reaction to the response from fans when he called himself “the greatest play-by-play announcer in the world.”
I then asked Josh if he felt there was a sort of double standard from fans. When a wrestler says he’s “the best,” they tend to get a pass under the thought that wrestlers, of course, need to believe in their ability to be great. For some reason, fans don’t seem to expect that mindset from an announcer.
When it comes to working on commentary, the main difference is whether someone is working as a play-by-play announcer or a color commentator. We’ve previously highlighted the differences in The Art of Commentary and what makes each special. I asked Josh which of the two he preferred.
Josh also spoke about some of his favorite commentators to work with throughout his career.
Regarding his least favorite commentator to work with, he said “I didn’t really care for Jonathan Coachman. At all. So, probably him.” He also said that his favorite in-ring competitor today is Lashley, his favorite talker is Ethan Carter III, and the most underrated wrestler today is Tyrus.
On differences from WWE & his favorite memories
One of the big differences between Impact Wrestling and WWE that is often talked about is the schedule. Josh talked about the changes when he came to Impact and how that change felt.
Josh also got to talk about the difference in working at Universal Studios rather than large arenas. While WWE tends to tour worldwide, in recent years most of the tapings done by Impact Wrestling have been at their home at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Before embarking on his career in the commentary booth, Josh Mathews was initially on the path to becoming an in-ring competitor. Despite the short time of his in-ring career, I asked if there was anything that stood out in his mind as a favorite moment.
When I asked Josh if he ever regretted not staying an in-ring competitor, he didn’t hesitate at all.
During his time in WWE, Josh Mathews is perhaps most remembered for taking a Stone Cold Stunner from Steve Austin at WrestleMania 27. I remember watching that moment live and thinking Josh seemed like he was having the most fun in the room, and he spoke on how he felt that day.
While that moment is most remembered, something that fans may not realize is that in calling WrestleMania 27, Josh Mathews got to be on commentary for Edge’s last match. The WWE Hall of Famer was forced to retire abruptly only a week after WrestleMania 27 due to lingering issues with his neck. I asked Josh what it was like to get to call Edge’s last match, as well as to be a part of seeing Edge retire.
During his fifteen year career on commentary, Josh was able to pinpoint one of his absolute favorite moments on commentary, as well as some controversy that came with it.
On working with his wife & the Knockouts division
A unique situation that Josh Mathews had gotten to experience is actually working with his wife on commentary. For those who don’t know, Mathews is married to former five-time Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne. In recent months, Rayne has worked on commentary during Knockouts matches, and Josh spoke about whether or not he worked with her to prepare for that and what that experience is like.
Speaking of the Knockouts Division, there has been a lot of talk in the last few years about how the “Divas Revolution” and “Women’s Evolution” has changed the landscape of women’s wrestling. Unfortunately, most of that has lost track of what Impact Wrestling has done with women’s wrestling in the past and today. Josh affirmed that when he talked about it.
Josh also followed up by talking about how the “Women’s Revolution” overshadowed what Impact Wrestling had been doing.
On the WWE Performance Center & nature of exclusive contracts
Some fans have made a connection between Tough Enough and the eventual introduction of NXT. While the early days of NXT felt more like a callback to Tough Enough, it has definitely changed in becoming the current incarnation of NXT and since the introduction of the WWE Performance Center. Josh spoke on whether or not Tough Enough was a precursor to that from the perspective of a Tough Enough alumni.
On the same note of NXT and the WWE Performance Center, WWE has received scrutiny in recent months for their methods in signing independent talent. They have had a tendency to sign talent to exclusive or restricted contracts, and yet they don’t use the talent. Josh spoke on whether or not he sees that having a negative impact on the world of professional wrestling in the United Kingdom and around the world.
On the note of exclusivity, I then asked Josh whether or not he believes that exclusive contracts are usually a good thing in wrestling or if they tend to restrict talent too much.
Before our time finished up, I jumped back to the topic of Impact Wrestling and Josh’s proclamation of being the #GOAT. “Who’s the #2ndGOAT?” I asked.
Lastly, I asked Josh when fans would be able to get some #GOAT merch at ShopImpact.com.
Do you think Josh Mathews is the #GOAT? Let us know in the comments below!